Thirty years after rapper Tupac Shakur was fatally shot in Las Vegas, a trial has begun for Duane "Keffe" Davis, accused of orchestrating the drive-by shooting. Davis, a 63-year-old former Crips gang leader and known drug dealer, faces charges in connection with the 1996 killing.
Mopreme Shakur, Tupac's older brother, spoke of the long wait for justice, stating, "Just think: 30 years." He expressed cautious optimism as prosecutors presented their case, alleging that Davis planned the retaliation for an earlier physical altercation between Tupac and Davis's nephew, Orlando Anderson, following a Mike Tyson fight. Tupac Shakur died six days after the shooting, on September 13, 1996, at the age of 25.
Prosecutors contend that Davis, while not the shooter, was instrumental in arranging the retaliation. "Duane Davis did not pull the trigger, but what he did do is plan the retaliation for the beating of his nephew," said chief deputy district attorney Binu Palal. Palal indicated that evidence would show Davis obtained the gun and was involved in the Cadillac from which the shots were fired, adding that Davis himself has previously spoken about the events.
Davis was arrested in 2023, following discussions of the shooting in a 2018 documentary and a 2019 memoir. In these accounts, Davis described providing a firearm to another individual in the car, who then allegedly fired the shots that killed Shakur. Davis's defense team has indicated they will argue that their client fabricated parts of his account for financial gain and entertainment purposes.
Marion "Suge" Knight, the founder of Death Row Records and the driver of the vehicle Tupac was in, is reportedly still alive but has refused to testify in the case. Knight is currently serving a prison sentence for a 2015 murder conviction.
Mopreme Shakur reflected on his brother's life and legacy, noting the pervasive misconceptions surrounding Tupac. "People try to act like Pac wasn't a thinking person," Mopreme said. "He was just a young, wild rapper - undisciplined and up against the rock." He also highlighted the profound poverty they experienced, stating, "We were refusing to be poor any more, so we busted our ass trying to make something for our generation."
He described Tupac as a creative genius who cared deeply about his community and advocated for young people. "Young people in general, Pac championed them, because he felt the youth was often overlooked and disrespected - people wouldn't fully listen to their ideas," Mopreme said. He also noted that Tupac's efforts were often aimed at supporting the "young black male" and the broader community.
Mopreme recalled a close bond with his younger brother, sharing a love for theater and music. "We were theater geeks," he said, referencing their shared enjoyment of musicals. He detailed how, despite periods of separation during their youth, they reconnected in California and found common ground in the arts.
Mopreme also addressed the violence that characterized the East Coast-West Coast rap rivalry of the 1990s, in which Tupac was a central figure. He acknowledged that while some aspects have changed, violence remains a familiar issue in their communities. He expressed a sense of responsibility to his brother and to their associates, many of whom have also died prematurely from various causes. "We've got a saying over here: 'till the wheels fall off.' And I'm still here, so the wheels ain't fell off yet."
Mopreme believes that if Tupac were alive today, he would be engaged in international efforts to help communities worldwide. He suggested that Tupac might have even considered law, though he doubted his brother possessed the necessary patience and temperament for the profession.
The shooting of Tupac Shakur in 1996 left a lasting impact on his family. His mother, Afeni Shakur, passed away in 2016, and his stepfather, Mutulu Shakur, died in 2023. Mopreme continues to work on documentaries about his family's story, seeking to uncover the full truth surrounding his brother's death. "We need justice for my guy, for me, for the family, for Pac's fans who've been with me on this ride," he stated.