An arrest has been made in a long-running case that has the public’s attention: US police have accused a former gang leader of killing rapper Tupac Shakur in 1996, months after revealing that investigation into the 90’s murder was still ongoing.
The legendary hip-hop artist from New York was shot four times at the age of 25 in a drive-by shooting in Las Vegas.
The 60-year-old Duane “Keffe D” Davis was charged with one count of murder with a dangerous weapon by the grand jury in Nevada on Friday.
Police said that after his nephew and Shakur got into a confrontation in a casino, he began to arrange the fatal shooting.
In the coming days, Davis will appear in court after being detained early on Friday morning close to his Las Vegas home. His mugshot was released by Las Vegas police (LVMPD).
According to the Associated Press, former Los Angeles police detective Greg Kading, who spent years looking into Shakur’s murder, is not surprised by Mr. Davis’ arrest. Mr. Davis was referred to as “the last man standing” in the case by Mr. Kading, who said that “all the other direct conspirators or participants are all dead.”
In court, the prosecution’s Marc DiaGiacomo referred to Mr. Davis, a former head of the South Side Compton Crips street gang, as the “on-ground, on-site commander” who “ordered the death” of Shakur.
Police Officer Jason Johansson claimed the force’s perseverance in the inquiry had “ultimately paid off” during a news conference later on Friday before outlining the breakthrough.
He claimed that Shakur and Orlando Anderson, the deceased nephew of the suspect, got into a brawl in a casino just before the rapper was shot on September 7, 1996. Few days later, he passed away in a hospital.
Reporters saw a video of Anderson being pummeled by a hotel security camera, according to Mr. Johansson. He claimed that as a result, Shakur was shot in retaliation while waiting in his car at a red light.
The officer further stated that the case had been thoroughly investigated and it was clear very soon that this was a gang-related crime.
But the case wasn’t “reinvigorated” until 2018 when fresh information surfaced.
Mr. Davis’ “own admissions” to media outlets that he was in the car where the shots were fired were also brought up by Mr. Johansson.
Sheriff Kevin McMahill stated during the same press conference that “the family of Tupac Shakur have been waiting for justice for 27 years.” He was clearly moved.
“There have been many people who did not believe that the murder of Tupac Shakur was important to this police department. I’m here to tell you: that was simply not the case.”
“Our goal at LVMPD has always been to hold those… responsible for Tupac’s violent murder accountable,” the sheriff added.
In 1991, Shakur, whose stage name was 2Pac, released his debut album.
One of the most well-known figures in hip-hop, his passing sparked the creation of multiple films.
He sold more than 75 million records worldwide and had hits on the charts with songs including Changes, All Eyez On Me, and California Love.
In movies like Juice, Poetic Justice, Above The Rim, Gridlock’d, and Gang Related, he also had success as an actor.
The rapper was honored with a posthumous star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in June of this year.
