Conviction of Duane Davis reignites hunt for Biggie Smalls killer

Conviction of Duane Davis reignites hunt for Biggie Smalls killer

A Las Vegas jury found former gang leader Duane “Keefe D” Davis guilty of ordering the 1996 drive-by shooting that killed rapper Tupac Shakur, and the verdict has revived calls for investigators to solve the 1997 murder of Christopher Wallace, known as Big Bang Smalls. The defense concluded with testimony from three former Las Vegas police officers, according to Rolling Stone, and closing arguments were scheduled for the following, as reported by Newser. A Nevada jury began deliberations on the case, AP noted, and the court set sentencing for Davis on October 13, per BBC.

Actors

Duane “Keffe D” Davis Michael Sanft Stan Hyt Charlie Mangrum Dan Long Binu Palal James “Mob James” McDonald Malcolm Greenidge Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department Suge Knight

Locations

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States MGM Grand, Las Vegas, Nevada, United States

Articles

September 06, 2026
1 total
Conviction in Tupac Shakur murder revives calls to solve Biggie Smalls killing
Conviction in Tupac Shakur murder revives calls to solve Biggie Smalls killing

nypost.com • 06 Sep 12:00

A Las Vegas jury found Duane “Keefe D” Davis guilty of ordering Tupac Shakur’s 1996 killing, prompting renewed pressure on investigators to identify the perpetrator of Christopher Wallace’s 1997 murder.

Credibility 68% Manip. 35% Center
September 05, 2026
4 total
Man convicted in Tupac Shakur killing maintains innocence and plans appeal
Man convicted in Tupac Shakur killing maintains innocence and plans appeal

USA Today • 05 Sep 17:12

Duane Keith “Keffe D” Davis was found guilty of first-degree murder in the 1996 shooting of Tupac Shakur and faces life in prison, while his legal team has already filed an appeal.

Credibility 72% Manip. 9% Center
Convicted in Tupac Shakur murder case gives first interview, maintains innocence
Convicted in Tupac Shakur murder case gives first interview, maintains innocence

Rolling Stone • 05 Sep 13:14

Duane “Keffe D” Davis, convicted of first-degree murder in the 1996 killing of Tupac Shakur, told the Hollywood Reporter he did not write a memoir used as evidence and accused witnesses of lying.

Credibility 66% Manip. 9% Center
Duane “Keffe D” Davis Maintains Innocence in First Post-Conviction Interview
Duane “Keffe D” Davis Maintains Innocence in First Post-Conviction Interview

Yahoo • 05 Sep 13:14

In his first interview after being convicted of first-degree murder in Tupac Shakur’s 1996 killing, Duane “Keffe D” Davis claimed he is innocent and criticized witness testimony and evidence used at trial.

Credibility 68% Manip. 10% Center
Convicted Tupac Shakur murder suspect Duane Davis maintains innocence ahead of sentencing
Convicted Tupac Shakur murder suspect Duane Davis maintains innocence ahead of sentencing

TMZ • 05 Sep 09:48

Duane "Keffe D" Davis, recently convicted for the 1996 killing of rapper Tupac Shakur, says he was not present at the crime scene and plans to appeal the verdict.

Credibility 48% Manip. 12% Center
September 01, 2026
6 total
Jury Convicts Duane "Keffe D" Davis in 1996 Tupac Shakur Murder Case
Jury Convicts Duane "Keffe D" Davis in 1996 Tupac Shakur Murder Case

The Hollywood Reporter • 01 Sep 22:18

A Nevada jury found former gang member Duane "Keffe D" Davis guilty of murder with a deadly weapon for the 1996 killing of rapper Tupac Shakur; sentencing is set for October 13.

Credibility 68% Manip. 30% Center
Former Compton Crip Leader Duane Davis Convicted of Tupac Shakur Murder
Former Compton Crip Leader Duane Davis Convicted of Tupac Shakur Murder

CNN • 01 Sep 09:30

A Nevada jury found Duane “Keffe D” Davis guilty of first-degree murder in the 1996 drive-by shooting of rapper Tupac Shakur, ending a three-decade investigation.

Credibility 72% Manip. 9% Center
Jury Finds Duane "Keffe D" Davis Guilty of Tupac Shakur Murder
Jury Finds Duane "Keffe D" Davis Guilty of Tupac Shakur Murder

Forbes • 01 Sep 06:23

A Nevada jury convicted Duane “Keffe D” Davis of first-degree murder in the 1996 drive-by shooting that killed rapper Tupac Shakur, nearly three decades after the crime.

Credibility 78% Manip. 12% Center
Jury Convicts Duane "Keffe D" Davis of First-Degree Murder in Tupac Shakur Shooting
Jury Convicts Duane "Keffe D" Davis of First-Degree Murder in Tupac Shakur Shooting

NPR • 01 Sep 04:57

A Nevada jury found Duane "Keffe D" Davis guilty of orchestrating the 1996 murder of rapper Tupac Shakur, with sentencing set for October.

Credibility 78% Manip. 10% Center
Former Crips leader Duane "Keffe D" Davis convicted of Tupac Shakur murder
Former Crips leader Duane "Keffe D" Davis convicted of Tupac Shakur murder

BBC • 01 Sep 02:34

A Nevada jury found former gang leader Duane “Keffe D” Davis guilty of first-degree murder in the 1996 drive-by shooting that killed rapper Tupac Shakur, concluding a three-decade investigation.

Credibility 78% Manip. 8% Center
Former Crips leader Duane "Keffe D" Davis convicted in Tupac Shakur murder
Former Crips leader Duane "Keffe D" Davis convicted in Tupac Shakur murder

BBC • 01 Sep 02:32

A Las Vegas jury found former gang leader Duane "Keffe D" Davis guilty of murder with a deadly weapon for the 1996 drive-by shooting that killed rapper Tupac Shakur, with sentencing set for October 13.

Credibility 78% Manip. 8% Center
August 31, 2026
2 total
Jurors Begin Deliberations in Duane Davis Trial for Tupac Shakur Murder
Jurors Begin Deliberations in Duane Davis Trial for Tupac Shakur Murder

AP News • 31 Aug 21:04

A Nevada jury started deliberating on the first-degree murder case against Duane “Keffe D” Davis, accused of orchestrating the 1996 drive-by shooting that killed rapper Tupac Shakur.

Credibility 78% Manip. 22% Center
Closing Statements Set for Tupac Shakur Murder Trial
Closing Statements Set for Tupac Shakur Murder Trial

Newser • 31 Aug 12:25

Closing arguments are scheduled for Monday in the murder trial of Duane “Keffe D” Davis, who is accused of orchestrating the 1996 killing of rapper Tupac Shakur.

Credibility 71% Manip. 8% Center
August 27, 2026
1 total
Defense in Tupac murder trial rests on former officers' testimony about police handling
Defense in Tupac murder trial rests on former officers' testimony about police handling

Rolling Stone • 27 Aug 22:50

Duane “Keffe D” Davis’s defense concluded with three former Las Vegas police officers testifying, aiming to create reasonable doubt about his alleged role in the 1996 shooting of Tupac Shakur.

Credibility 72% Manip. 12% Center