Keffe D. Davis sat quietly in a Nevada courtroom Monday as prosecutors laid out their case, telling jurors that the rapper known as Tupac Shakur was murdered in an act of revenge more than three decades ago.
Background
Shakur was gunned down on September 7, 1996, outside the Las Vegas MGM Grand hotel following a Mike Tyson heavyweight championship fight. The shooting occurred as Shakur sat in a BMW driven by Death Row Records founder Marion 'Suge' Knight. The rapper was struck by multiple bullets and died six days later at a Las Vegas hospital at age 25. The killing shocked the music industry and spawned decades of speculation about who ordered the hit, but no one was ever charged until Davis's arrest.
The Investigation
Davis, whose full name is Keffe D. Davis, was taken into custody in 2024 after a multi-decade investigation by Las Vegas police. Authorities allege Davis was part of a crew from South Central Los Angeles connected to a rivalry between Shakur and the rap group Death Row Records against associates of rapper Notorious B.I.G. (Christopher Wallace), who was killed months later in a similar unsolved shooting. Clark County prosecutors are seeking a conviction for murder with a firearm, arguing that Davis knowingly provided the weapon used in the killing. Las Vegas police detectives worked for years to build a case that would hold up in court, eventually developing enough evidence to file charges.
Key Takeaways
- Shakur was shot and killed on September 7, 1996, outside the MGM Grand hotel in Las Vegas after a Mike Tyson fight
- Davis is charged with murder with a firearm for allegedly providing the weapon used in the killing
- The case remained unsolved for nearly three decades before Davis's arrest in 2024
- Prosecutors allege the shooting was retaliation for an earlier altercation involving Shakur and members of a rival crew
What's Next
Opening statements marked the beginning of what is expected to be a lengthy trial. Davis has pleaded not guilty to the murder charge. Prosecutors say they have witnesses and physical evidence tying Davis to the killing, though much of the case's details remain sealed under court order. The defense is expected to challenge the identification of Davis as the triggerman or the individual who supplied the firearm.