An elderly former gang leader has been given a 40-year to life sentence for masterminding the 1996 drive-by shooting of rap legend Tupac Shakur near the Las Vegas Strip. The murder, stemming from a gang feud, remained unsolved for years until Duane (Keffe D) Davis came forward in interviews and a memoir. Davis, 63, was found guilty of first-degree murder with a deadly weapon earlier in August.
As a former head of the South Side Compton Crips, Davis received a lengthy prison term, making him ineligible for parole until he reaches at least 100 years old. He plans to appeal his conviction. No one else has been charged in connection with Shakur’s death, which has only boosted the late rapper’s legacy over time.
During the sentencing hearing, Shakur’s sister, Sekyiwa (Set) Shakur, expressed the pain of hearing about the events leading to her brother’s tragic demise. She described Shakur as a gentle soul who would have transitioned from music to activism had he survived. Sekyiwa emphasized the significance of her brother’s life, leaving family members in tears.
Maurice (Mopreme) Shakur, the late rapper’s brother, also shared the profound impact of the killing on their family and fans. Davis, who had previously avoided prosecution through an agreement with law enforcement, confessed in his memoir to his involvement in the shooting.
The trial saw prosecutors relying on Davis’ statements to law enforcement, alleging his orchestration of the shooting due to a rivalry between the South Side Compton Crips and Mob Piru. Despite the lack of physical evidence linking him to the decades-old crime, the jury deliberated for three hours before delivering a guilty verdict in August.
The other individuals allegedly involved in the Cadillac during the shooting have since passed away, including Davis’ nephew, Orlando (Baby Lane) Anderson, who Davis claimed was the shooter. Speculation has also pointed to Sean (Diddy) Combs, although he denied any involvement in Shakur’s death. The Clark County District Attorney mentioned a lack of evidence to charge anyone else but noted the potential for further charges with new information.
