More than 30 years after rap legend Tupac Shakur was shot and killed in Las Vegas, the man accused of orchestrating his murder is finally heading to trial. Duane “Keffe D” Davis, the only person ever charged in the case, is set to appear in court starting August 10, 2026. The trial comes after decades of speculation, books, and documentaries about one of music’s most famous unsolved murders. Here is a look back at Tupac’s final hours and the latest updates on the trial that has captured the world’s attention.
The Night Tupac Was Shot in Las Vegas
On September 7, 1996, Tupac Shakur was in Las Vegas to watch the Mike Tyson vs. Bruce Seldon boxing match at the MGM Grand. After the fight, he was seen in the casino hallway getting into a physical fight with Orlando Anderson, a known gang member. That same night, around 11:15 p.m., Tupac was riding in a black BMW 750 sedan driven by Suge Knight, the head of Death Row Records.
While they were stopped at a red light near the Las Vegas Strip, a white Cadillac pulled up beside them. Someone inside the Cadillac opened fire, shooting Tupac multiple times. He was hit at least four times in the chest, hand, and thigh. Knight was also injured but survived. The shooting happened just after 11 p.m. near Flamingo Road and Koval Lane.
Tupac’s Final Days in the Hospital
Tupac was rushed to the University Medical Center in Las Vegas. He underwent surgery and had a lung removed. For six days, he remained in the intensive care unit on a respirator. Despite doctors’ efforts, he died from internal bleeding on September 13, 1996, at 4:03 p.m.. He was only 25 years old.
Former police officer Chris Carroll, who was on bike patrol that night, later shared that Tupac’s last words to him were “F*** you” before he lost consciousness. The rapper’s death was ruled a homicide caused by respiratory failure and cardiopulmonary arrest.
Who Is Keffe D? The Man Charged With Murder
For years, the case went cold. Then in September 2023, Duane “Keffe D” Davis was arrested and charged with murder. Davis, now 63, is a former gang leader from Compton. Prosecutors say he helped plan the drive-by shooting that killed Tupac. Davis has been in custody since his arrest and has pleaded not guilty.
Davis has a long history with the case. In his 2019 book Compton Street Legend, he wrote that he was in the white Cadillac that night and that he provided the gun used in the shooting. He also said his nephew, Orlando Anderson, was the one who actually fired the shots. Anderson denied being involved and was killed in a separate shooting in 1998.
What the Prosecution Says
Prosecutors argue that Davis’s own words—both in his book and in media interviews—prove his guilt. They plan to use his 2019 memoir and his public statements as key evidence. In June 2026, a judge ruled that the book can be used in the trial. The state says Davis chose to tell his story publicly, and now he must face the consequences.
Chief Deputy District Attorney Marc DiGiacomo said, “Had he decided to never write the book, he would not, probably, have ever been prosecuted for the crime.” The prosecution’s case largely depends on Davis’s own accounts of what happened that night.
Davis Denies Pulling the Trigger
In a recent interview with 8 News Now, Davis said he did not kill Tupac and that he knows who did. He pointed to Reggie Wright Jr., a former security chief for Death Row Records, as the real killer. Davis also denied any involvement in the murder of Notorious B.I.G., another rapper killed in 1997. When asked about Sean “Diddy” Combs, Davis said he does not think Combs had anything to do with either murder.
Key Witnesses Set to Testify
The prosecution has released a witness list that includes several well-known names. Among them is Suge Knight, who was in the car with Tupac when he was shot. Knight is currently serving a 28-year prison sentence for a fatal hit-and-run. He previously said he would not testify, but court records now show he is expected to appear.
Other witnesses include Nevada Governor Joe Lombardo, who was a police sergeant at the time of the murder, and former Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman. Tupac’s sister and stepbrother are also on the list. The witness list is 11 pages long and includes nearly 200 names.
Battle Over Evidence and Immunity
A major issue in the case is whether Davis’s 2008 statement to the LAPD can be used in court. Davis says he spoke to police only because he was promised immunity. His lawyer, Michael Sanft, argues that the statement should be kept out of the trial. The judge has not yet made a final decision on this.
Another dispute involves Davis’s book and media interviews. The defense says the book was fictionalized to make money and that it is not clear which parts Davis actually wrote. The judge, however, ruled that Davis adopted the book’s contents as his own because he repeatedly called it the “real truth.”
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Trial Dates and What to Expect
The trial is scheduled to begin on August 10, 2026. It is expected to last at least four to five weeks. The court has set up a lottery system for public seating because of the high level of interest.
Davis’s bond is set at $750,000. The judge has said he could be released on bail even during the trial, as long as he follows the court’s rules. As of now, Davis remains in custody.
The Case That Changed Hip-Hop Forever
Tupac Shakur’s murder remains one of the most talked-about events in music history. His music and message continue to influence artists and fans around the world. The upcoming trial is expected to answer some long-standing questions about what really happened on that September night in 1996. With key witnesses, disputed evidence, and a defendant who has already told his side of the story, the courtroom drama is set to be a major moment for everyone who has followed this case over the years.
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