Duane Davis, also known as "Keefe D", was a prominent member and kingpin of the South Side Compton Crips gang in Southern California. Born on June 14, 1963, in Compton, CA, he grew up in a rough neighborhood where he quickly became involved in gang activity. He formed close friendships with individuals like Suge Knight, who later became the CEO of Death Row Records.
As Davis's reputation grew within the gang, he climbed the ranks to become a crime boss, notorious for his involvement in various criminal activities in the Compton area. One of the most infamous incidents linked to Davis was the 1996 murder of the internationally acclaimed rapper Tupac Shakur.
On September 7, 1996, Tupac Shakur was shot and killed in a drive-by shooting in Las Vegas. Davis quickly became a suspect in the investigation, as he had made multiple admissions to media outlets claiming that he was in the vehicle from which the shots were fired. However, he often shifted blame onto his nephew, Orlando Anderson, who was also a member of the South Side Compton Crips gang.
Despite confessing to the shooting of Tupac Shakur in 2009, Davis's admission could not be used against him in court due to a proffer agreement. The case remained unsolved for years until a breakthrough occurred in 2018 when incriminating documents were discovered in the home of his wife, Paula Clemons.
In September 2023, Davis was taken into custody by the Las Vegas Metro Police Department and charged with first-degree murder in the 1996 killing of Tupac Shakur. The evidence found in his wife's home played a crucial role in ultimately leading to his arrest.
Throughout the years, Davis's involvement in criminal activities and the murder of Tupac Shakur has been portrayed in various forms of media. He was depicted by actor Lahmard Tate in the 2018 biographical television show "Unsolved," which delved into the murders of Notorious B.I.G. and Tupac Shakur.
Aside from his criminal activities, Davis had personal connections to individuals who faced tragic fates. His nephew, Orlando Anderson, was killed in an unrelated gang shootout in 1998, further adding to the turmoil and violence surrounding Davis's life.
Another individual connected to the Tupac Shakur murder case was rapper Yaki Kadafi, who claimed he could identify the assailant in the shooting. However, Kadafi was mysteriously killed before he could testify, leaving many unanswered questions surrounding the events of that fateful night in 1996.
Despite the notoriety and criminal activities associated with Duane Davis, his story serves as a reminder of the dark and dangerous world of gang violence and organized crime. The legacy of his involvement in the murder of Tupac Shakur remains a controversial and haunting chapter in the history of hip-hop and street culture.