Breakthrough Arrest in the 1996 Tupac Shakur Case Marks a Step Towards Justice
In a significant development in the ongoing 1996 murder case of Tupac Shakur, investigators have made notable progress by apprehending Duane Davis, aged 60.
Duane “Keffe D” Davis has been a familiar figure to investigators for quite some time as one of the four individuals initially pinpointed as a suspect in the case. Although he is not the alleged shooter, authorities stated on Friday during a news conference and in court that he was considered the leader of the group. In Nevada, individuals can face charges, including murder, if they assist someone in the commission of a crime.
“Duane Davis was the shot caller for this group of individuals that committed this crime,” stated Las Vegas police homicide Lt. Jason Johansson, “and he orchestrated the plan that was carried out.”
Davis himself has admitted in interviews and in his 2019 tell-all memoir, Compton Street Legend, that he provided the gun used in the drive-by shooting.
In addition, many were relieved as justice was now being served for Tupac, and Jada Pinkett Smith was one to express her hope.
Smith wrote on her Instagram story, “Now I hope we can get some answers and have some closure. R.I.P. Pac.”
According to NBC News, Smith spoke to Howard Stern in an interview last year, addressing the relationship she once shared with Tupac. Sharing, “I never in my life met a person like Pac.”
“He had so much charisma,” she stated.
Furthermore, Tupac’s sister and President of the Tupac Amaru Shakur Foundation, Sekyiwa ‘Set’ Shakur, made a statement on Instagram following the news of the arrest.
“The silence of the past 27 years surrounding this case has spoken loudly in our community. It’s important to me that the world, the country, the justice system, and our people acknowledge the gravity of the passing of this man, my brother, my mother’s son, my father’s son,” she wrote.
Shakur went on to say that the family continues to seek justice.
“His life and death matters, and should not go unsolved or unrecognized, so yes, today is a victory but I will reserve judgement until all the facts and legal proceedings are complete. There have been multiple hands involved and there remains so much surrounding the life and death of my brother Tupac and our Shakur family overall. We are seeking real justice, on all fronts,” she added.
An eyewitness, Suge Knight, refuses to testify against Davis. TMZ’s exclusive interview with the founder of Death Row Records on Monday revealed his strong conviction that law enforcement and prosecutors have made a grave error in arresting Davis as a suspect. Furthermore, he vehemently challenges the widely-held belief that Davis’ deceased nephew, Orlando Anderson, was the one responsible for the shooting.
