In a shocking turn of events, Las Vegas police have made a significant breakthrough in the investigation of rapper Tupac Shakur’s 1996 murder. Duane Keith Davis, known by his street name “Keffe D,” was arrested on Friday in connection with the notorious case. Davis, 60, was indicted by a grand jury on a charge of open murder with a deadly weapon, including a gang enhancement, according to Clark County District Attorney Steve Wolfson.
During a press conference following the arrest, Jason Johansson, homicide lieutenant with the Las Vegas Metro Police Department, revealed that Duane was the orchestrator of the crime. Johansson stated, “Duane Davis was the shot-caller for this group of individuals that committed this crime, and he orchestrated the plan that was carried out to commit this crime.” Duane, whose nephew was identified as the shooter, confessed to detectives in 2008 that he handed the gun to Anderson, who shot Tupac from the backseat of a white Cadillac.
Greg Kading, a former LAPD homicide detective, disclosed that Duane provided this information through a proffer agreement with the DEA. This agreement, made in exchange for immunity in court, allowed Duane to detail his involvement without legal consequences. The new arrest comes after a search warrant was executed at Duane’s Henderson home in July 2023, during which electronic devices, a “Vibe” magazine featuring Shakur, copies of Duane’s book “Compton Street Legend,” and .40 caliber ammunition were seized.
The revelation of Duane’s arrest is a significant milestone in a case that has baffled investigators for over two decades. The murder, previously thought unsolvable, gained renewed attention with the arrest. Tupac’s collaborator E.D.I. Mean expressed confidence that law enforcement knew “what happened,” and now, with Duane in custody, it seems the wheels of justice are finally turning.
The arrest also sheds light on the complex dynamics of the rap industry during the East Coast-West Coast rivalry of the 1990s. Chuck Philips’ 2002 investigation for the Los Angeles Times implicated a Compton gang called the Southside Crips in the murder, linking it to Tupac’s earlier assault on a gang member. The case took unexpected turns, involving East Coast rappers, including The Notorious B.I.G., and a series of missteps by the Las Vegas police.
In a psychological twist, music plays a role in the narrative. Duane’s self-published book, considered a confession, and his numerous interviews provide insight into the events of that fateful night. As the arrest unfolds, the world watches closely, hoping for answers and closure to a chapter that has remained open for far too long.
External sources: Law & Crime and Wikipedia.
