(Reuters) – A former gang leader named Duane “Keffe D” Davis has been indicted by a Nevada grand jury for the murder of hip-hop star Tupac Shakur, which occurred thirty years ago. This development marks a breakthrough in a case that had a significant impact on the history of rap music.
The Chief Deputy District Attorney, Marc DiGiacomo, revealed in court on Friday that Davis has been charged with one count of murder with a deadly weapon. Shortly after, Davis was arrested outside his home on Friday morning and is currently in police custody, according to DiGiacomo. Reuters was unable to contact Davis, and it remains uncertain whether he has obtained legal representation.
Tupac Shakur was shot and gravely injured in a drive-by shooting close to the Las Vegas Strip on September 7, 1996. Unfortunately, he succumbed to his injuries and passed away six days later at the age of 25.
In interviews and his 2019 memoir titled “Compton Street Legend,” Davis had admitted being present in the Cadillac from which the gunshots were fired during the shooting incident.
Back in July, authorities had conducted a search of a house outside Las Vegas that was believed to be connected to Shakur’s killing.
Shakur, a renowned rapper, activist, and actor, gained global recognition by selling more than 75 million records worldwide. His lyrics were often characterized by raw depictions of violence, sexuality, and profanity, reflecting life in disadvantaged neighborhoods. His album “All Eyez on Me,” released shortly before his death, symbolized his rebel image.
Although he was beloved by fans and his songs were known for celebrating violence and misogyny, Shakur was a controversial figure who frequently encountered legal trouble during the last years of his life, spending a significant amount of time in court, prison, or hospitals.
The tragic incident that claimed his life occurred when Shakur and his friends were driving in a convoy to a nightclub after attending the Mike Tyson-Bruce Seldon world heavyweight title fight in Las Vegas.
As the black BMW carrying Shakur came to a stop at a traffic light, a white Cadillac pulled up next to it, and an individual inside the Cadillac fired at least nine shots, seemingly targeting the passenger seat where Shakur was seated. The musician and actor sustained four gunshot wounds as a result.
Marion “Suge” Knight, the co-founder of Death Row Records, a Los Angeles-based record label that produced Shakur’s albums, was driving the BMW. Although he suffered a minor injury when a bullet fragment grazed his head, he managed to escape with relatively minimal harm.
Following his death, Shakur achieved even greater popularity. In 2017, he was posthumously inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
(Reporting by David Ljunggren and Costas Pitas; Editing by Susan Heavey, Jonathan Oatis, Leslie Adler, and Daniel Wallis)
Credit: The Star : News Feed
