Jury convicts a man of first-degree murder for the 1996 killing of rap icon Tupac Shakur

Duane Davis, right, and his attorney Michael Sanft sit in a courtroom after a jury found Davis guilty of first-degree murder in his trial related to the 1996 killing of rapper Tupac Shakur, at Clark County District Court Regional Justice Center, Monday, Aug. 31, 2026, in Las Vegas. Bizuayehu Tesfaye/Pool Las Vegas Review-Journal via AP hide caption

LAS VEGAS — A jury found Duane "Keffe D" Davis guilty of orchestrating the 1996 killing of rap icon Tupac Shakur, finally bringing a measure of resolution to a case that had gripped hip-hop fans and lingered in the public imagination for decades.

The 63-year-old Davis was convicted Monday of a single count of murder with a deadly weapon and could be sentenced to life in prison. The jury deliberated for less than three hours after a weekslong trial in Las Vegas.

After the verdict was read, Shakur's sister, Sekyiwa "Set" Shakur, cried and hugged the prosecutors. Davis' son covered his face with one hand.

Chief Deputy District Attorney Binu Palal told jurors in closing arguments earlier Monday that Davis acquired a gun and "went hunting" for Shakur and Death Row Records co-founder Marion "Suge" Knight after the men had beaten up Davis' nephew earlier that night.

"He is responsible of the murder of Tupac Shakur," Palal said. "Tell him you hear him. Find him guilty."

Prosecutors said that while his story had changed over the years, Davis repeatedly placed himself inside a white Cadillac from which the shots were fired. And they said that while he did not pull the trigger, evidence showed he'd called for the gunfire as a powerful gang leader the younger men in the car, including his nephew, were going to listen to.

Defense attorney Michael Sanft asked jurors if there was any evidence that Davis had ever called the shots before or after the shooting.