A Nevada jury on Monday convicted Duane “Keffe D” Davis of first-degree murder with the use of a deadly weapon, marking a major development in the 1996 drive-by killing of hip-hop legend Tupac Shakur.
Davis, 63, now faces the possibility of life behind bars, becoming the first person ever found guilty in the long-unsolved Tupac Shakur murder case, The Associated Press reported.
The verdict came after jurors spent roughly three hours weighing the case following closing arguments in a trial that drew widespread attention from music fans and true-crime observers alike.
Inside the courtroom, the emotional weight of the moment was clear: Shakur’s sister, Sekyiwa “Set” Shakur, broke down in tears as the decision was announced, while Davis’ son shielded his face with one hand.
A Nevada jury convicted Duane “Keffe D” Davis of first-degree murder with the use of a deadly weapon in connection with the 1996 drive-by shooting that killed rap icon Tupac Shakur. (Raymond Boyd/Getty Images)
In closing arguments, Prosecutor Binu Palal said Davis obtained a gun and “went hunting” for Shakur and Marion “Suge” Knight after they attacked Davis’ nephew, according to The Associated Press.
He said Davis consistently placed himself inside the Cadillac used in the shooting.
Duane Davis stands during a break in closing arguments during his murder trial, related to the 1996 killing of rapper Tupac Shakur, in Clark County District Court at the Regional Justice Center in Las Vegas, on Aug. 31, 2026. (Steve Marcus/Pool Photo via AP)
Meanwhile, defense attorney Michael Sanft argued that no evidence beyond Davis’ statements placed him in Las Vegas or inside the car.
The 16-member panel, including four alternates, heard nine days of testimony from 24 prosecution witnesses and three defense witnesses.
Davis was ordered held without bail pending sentencing, which is scheduled for Oct. 13.
A 1996 photo of rapper Tupac Shakur (L) and Marion “Suge” Knight is displayed during the Duane Davis murder trial, related to the 1996 killing of the rapper, at Clark County District Court at the Regional Justice Center in Las Vegas, Nevada, on Aug. 17, 2026. (STEVE MARCUS / POOL / AFP via Getty Images)
A gunman in a white Cadillac opened fire on a BMW carrying Shakur and Knight on Sept. 7, 1996, on the Las Vegas Strip. Knight recovered from minor injuries.
Shakur succumbed to his injuries six days later at 25 years old.