Tupac Shakur’s Alleged Murderer Says He’s Innocent

Duane “Keffe D” Davis, the man arrested in connection with the 1996 murder of rap icon Tupac Shakur, is maintaining his innocence.

In a recent interview from behind bars, Davis, who was arrested in September 2023, strongly denied any involvement in Shakur’s death. He even called the charges baseless.

Here is what we know so far.

Tupac Shakur’s Murderer Pledges His Innocence

Duane “Keffe D” Davis, arrested in September 2023 in connection to Tupac Shakur’s 1996 murder, has maintained his innocence. Speaking from the Clark County Detention Center in Las Vegas, he told ABC News, “I’m innocent.”

Davis, 61, insisted, “I did not do it,” claiming prosecutors have no evidence against him. “They can’t even place me out here. They don’t have no gun, no car, no Keffe D, no nothing,” he said, adding, “I ain’t killed nobody. Never did.”

Davis claims he was in Los Angeles during Shakur’s murder in Las Vegas and says witnesses can confirm his alibi, according to ABC News.

Why Was He Accused of Tupac’s Murder?

Las Vegas detectives built their case on Davis’ own alleged account, including details from his 2019 memoir, Compton Street Legend. However, Davis claims, “I’ve never read the book,” insisting his co-author wrote it independently after gathering details of his life.

Prosecutors claim Davis was a Crips gang leader in Compton and the “shot caller” on the night of Shakur’s murder.

What Happened Next?

After his arrest, Duane “Keffe D” Davis was officially charged with one count of murder with a gang enhancement, according to the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department. Authorities announced the charges in a press conference, revealing that the investigation into Tupac Shakur’s murder had been reopened earlier that summer.

During the press conference, Las Vegas police homicide Lt. Jason Johansson stated that Duane Davis was the “shot caller” behind the group responsible for the crime. He asserted that he orchestrated the plan that led to Tupac Shakur’s murder, according to the Associated Press.

Tupac Shakur’s Murder

On September 7, 1996, Tupac Shakur was shot in a drive-by while on his way to Suge Knight’s nightclub. This was after attending a boxing match at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. While stopped at a red light, a white Cadillac pulled up and fired multiple rounds, hitting Shakur four times. He was shot twice in the chest, once in the arm, and once in the thigh. Suge Knight was grazed by bullet fragments but sustained only minor injuries.

Shakur, 25, was rushed to the hospital. That is where he lost a lung and ultimately died nearly a week after the shooting. In Compton Street Legends, Davis describes himself and Suge Knight as the only living eyewitnesses to the fatal encounter between their vehicles on the Las Vegas Strip, according to the book’s Amazon description.

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