A former Los Angeles gang member has been found guilty of murder in the 1996 killing of rap icon Tupac Shakur, according to multiple French news outlets including franceinfo. The verdict, reported on September 1, 2026, comes nearly three decades after the drive-by shooting that claimed Shakur's life in Las Vegas.
Duane "Keffe D" Davis was convicted of orchestrating the murder, franceinfo reports. The conviction marks a rare breakthrough in one of hip-hop's most enduring cold cases, which had gone unsolved for years despite widespread public speculation and numerous theories about who was responsible for the rapper's death.
According to franceinfo, the case against Davis hinged on evidence that positioned him as the mastermind behind the attack. The outlet notes that Davis had previously made statements about his involvement in the shooting, though the specific details of the prosecution's case were not detailed in the reporting.
The conviction follows a lengthy investigation that finally yielded charges against Davis. Ouest-France identified Davis as the man now held accountable for the September 1996 shooting, which occurred as Shakur rode in a car in Las Vegas after a boxing match. The rapper died from his injuries six days later at the age of 25.
The verdict closes a chapter that has haunted the music world for three decades. Shakur, widely regarded as one of the most influential figures in hip-hop history, left behind a catalog of work that continues to shape the genre.
Observers will now watch whether the conviction holds up on appeal and whether Davis's sentencing, which has not yet been announced, brings any additional revelations about the events surrounding Shakur's final night.
