Former gang leader Duane “Keffe D” Davis has been sentenced to 40 years to life in prison for orchestrating the 1996 drive-by shooting that killed American rapper Tupac Shakur in Las Vegas.
Davis, 63, was sentenced on Tuesday, October 13, 2026, after a jury found him guilty of first-degree murder in August.
The sentence comprises two consecutive terms of 20 years to life for murder and the use of a deadly weapon.
Shakur was shot on September 7, 1996, while travelling in a vehicle driven by Death Row Records executive Marion “Suge” Knight. He died in hospital six days later at the age of 25.
Prosecutors argued that Davis orchestrated the attack to avenge an earlier confrontation at the MGM Grand casino involving his nephew, Orlando Anderson, and members of Shakur’s entourage.
According to evidence presented during the trial, Davis helped organise the attack and supplied a gun to associates in the vehicle. He was not accused of personally firing the shots that killed the rapper.
The case remained unsolved for nearly three decades before Davis was arrested in 2023. Prosecutors relied heavily on statements he made in media interviews, a memoir and recordings of discussions with investigators.
During Tuesday’s sentencing, Davis indicated that he intended to appeal his conviction. His lawyer also said an appeal would be pursued.
Shakur’s sister, Sekyiwa Shakur, addressed the court during the sentencing, describing the lasting impact of her brother’s death on the family.
The rapper, known for songs addressing inequality, violence and life in disadvantaged communities, remains one of hip-hop’s most influential figures. His killing also became closely associated with the rivalry between East Coast and West Coast rap circles during the 1990s.