Who is Duane “Keffe D” Davis? Details explored as Tupac Shakur’s murder suspect breaks silence claiming his innocence

It’s been almost 30 years since rap legend Tupac Shakur was fatally shot during a drive-by shooting, and the lead suspect, Duane “Keffe D” Davis, has once again affirmed his claim of innocence. Duane "Keffe D" is a 61-year-old male who is charged as the mastermind of Tupac's murder in 1996.

Davis, who is being held at the Clark County Detention Center in Las Vegas, in an interview with ABC News, stated that he was innocent and alleged that the prosecution didn’t have enough evidence to tie him to the crime:

"I did not do it. They don't have nothing. And they know they don't have nothing. They can't even place me out here. They don't have no gun, no car, no Keffe D, no nothing."

He added:

"I ain’t killed nobody. Never did, never killed nobody."

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More details on the case against “Keffe D” as he maintains his claim of innocence in murder trial of Tupac Shakur

“Keffe D” remains the only man who has been charged in the murder case of Shakur. According to Exclusive reports from ABC News, the 61-year-old complained that he is being coerced into a trial for a 30-year-old incident while the police had no tangible evidence against him:

“I'm supposed to be out there enjoying my twilight at one of my f------ grandson's football games, and basketball games. Enjoying life with my kids."

Tupac Shakur was killed in September 1996 on his way back from watching a Mike Tyson v Bruce Seldon fight. The late rapper was fatally shot in the passenger seat of the BMW driven by Suge Knight as they stopped at a red light off the Vegas Strip.

Prosecutors allege that Davis was a leader of the notorious Crips gang at the time, and he gave the shooting order on that fateful night. They further claim that their case is built on multiple statements made by the accused in police interviews, to the media, and his infamous memoir, Compton Street Legend, where he makes contentious statements about Tupac’s murder.

In the co-authored memoir, Davis reportedly stated that he provided the murder weapon and was in the car with the shooter. In the interview with ABC, Davis stated that he had never read the memoir and added:

"I just gave him (the co-author) details of my life. And he went and did his little investigation and wrote the book on his own."

His lawyers addressed the content of the memoir in their filings, stating that their client only ever made contentious statements about the Shakur murder for entertainment and money-making purposes.

Davis also added that he was miles away when the incident occurred and had about 20 or 30 people who could corroborate his alibi during the trial.

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In February 2025, Davis’ lawyers filed a motion to delay his trial set for March, citing that they needed more time for investigative work.

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