New developments might emerge in the longstanding mystery of rapper Tupac Shakur’s death during the trial of Duane “Keffe D” Davis. Davis, aged 63, faces charges for organizing the drive-by shooting in Las Vegas that injured rap mogul Marion “Suge” Knight. His jury trial is scheduled for August 10, following his 2023 arrest. He pleads not guilty.
The Incident
On September 7, 1996, Shakur was a passenger in a black BMW driven by Knight when a white Cadillac approached them and opened fire. Knight was injured but survived, while Shakur succumbed to his injuries a week later at 25. Authorities believe the attack stemmed from a rivalry between East Coast and West Coast factions within the hip-hop community, tied to gang conflicts led by Davis in Compton, California.
People Involved
Documents and testimonies have identified several figures present in the Cadillac with Davis, although none were charged before their deaths.
Tupac Shakur
A significant figure in hip-hop, Shakur achieved multiple No. 1 albums, received six Grammy nominations, and posthumous honors like a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Born Lesane Parish Crooks in New York, he was renamed and influenced by his mother and stepfather’s activism in the Black Panther Party.
Marion “Suge” Knight
An influential figure, Knight founded Death Row Records, representing Shakur. On the night of the incident, Knight and Shakur were heading to a nightclub. Knight now serves a 28-year sentence for a 2015 manslaughter charge. He and Davis knew each other from their youth in Compton.
Orlando “Baby Lane” Anderson
Anderson, suspected as the shooter, was involved in a brawl with Shakur before the incident. Davis described Anderson as a nephew with whom he was closely bonded. Anderson was seated in the Cadillac’s backseat and denied involvement before his death in 1998.
Deandrae “Freaky” Smith
Smith, also known as “Big Dre,” was reportedly in the back seat next to Anderson. Grand jury testimony suggested Smith might have fired the weapon. He passed away in 2004 from natural causes.
Terry “Bubble Up” Brown
Brown drove the Cadillac during the attack. Davis recounts in his memoir that they approached Shakur, who was visible to fans from the BMW. Brown died in a 2015 shooting at a marijuana dispensary.
Associated Press writer Jessica Hill and Ken Ritter contributed to this report.