The murder trial of rapper Tupac Shakur is moving forward in Las Vegas. Jury selection continued Wednesday, August 12, 2026. The case centers on Duane “Keffe D” Davis, who faces a murder charge tied to Shakur’s 1996 killing.
Davis has pleaded not guilty. Prosecutors accuse him of helping organize the fatal drive-by shooting. However, they do not claim that Davis personally fired the gun.
The trial has renewed interest in one of hip-hop’s biggest unsolved mysteries. It has also brought fresh comments from people who knew Tupac before he became a global star.
Money B says Tupac’s alleged shooter is dead
Ronald “Money B” Brooks of Digital Underground recently discussed Tupac’s death. He appeared on “Jesse Weber Live” and reflected on his former friend’s life and legacy.
Money B said he believes the person who fired the fatal shots is no longer alive. He pointed to the long-standing theory that Orlando “Baby Lane” Anderson was the shooter.
Anderson was Davis’ nephew. His name has appeared in discussions about Tupac’s murder for decades. However, Money B stressed that he does not have firsthand knowledge of who pulled the trigger.
He also suggested that other people or agencies may have played a role in the events surrounding Tupac’s death. Those claims remain theories and have not been established as facts in court.
What prosecutors allege about Duane Davis
Prosecutors say Davis helped orchestrate the September 1996 shooting. They believe the attack followed an earlier fight involving Anderson and members of Death Row Records.
According to the prosecution theory, Davis supplied the weapon and helped organize the retaliation. Another person allegedly fired the gun at Tupac’s vehicle.
Davis has given different accounts of his involvement over the years. Prosecutors plan to use some of his past statements as evidence.
His defense team argues that Davis exaggerated his stories for money and attention. Davis has also denied responsibility for Tupac’s murder.
Davis’ own words are central to the case
The prosecution faces a major challenge. The shooting happened nearly 30 years ago. Physical evidence may be limited.
Davis, however, has spoken about the case for years. His comments appeared in interviews, a 2019 memoir and other media appearances.
In his memoir, Compton Street Legend, Davis described the events surrounding the shooting. He wrote that a gun was placed in the vehicle connected to Anderson and another associate.
Davis later disputed parts of his previous accounts. His defense says those stories were exaggerated and that a ghostwriter helped produce his memoir.
Prosecutors will attempt to support Davis’ statements with testimony and other evidence.
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Who actually pulled the trigger?
The identity of Tupac’s shooter remains one of the most debated questions in hip-hop history.
Anderson has long been named in theories surrounding the killing. However, another prosecution witness has reportedly offered a different account.
Denvonta Lee, a South Side Crips associate, testified before a grand jury that Anderson did not have a clear shot. Lee said the gun was eventually handled by Deandrae Smith, who allegedly fired the shots.
Smith has since died. Therefore, he cannot testify at the current trial.
These competing accounts highlight the difficulty prosecutors face after so many years.
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Tupac’s early career and legacy
Before becoming a superstar, Tupac worked with Digital Underground. He initially served as a roadie and backup dancer before becoming a performer.
Money B remembered Tupac as extremely driven and compassionate. He also said Tupac wanted to help his community and challenge authority.
The rapper’s career was tragically short. Yet his music, activism and cultural influence continue to shape hip-hop.
Money B believes Tupac could have expanded his activism if he had survived.
Did the East Coast-West Coast rivalry cause Tupac’s death?
Money B also rejected the popular idea that the broader East Coast-West Coast rap rivalry directly caused Tupac’s murder.
He argued that media coverage helped turn personal conflicts into a much larger rivalry. He described the feud as heavily promoted and manufactured.
The theory surrounding Tupac’s death has remained controversial for decades. His 1996 killing was followed by the 1997 murder of The Notorious B.I.G., further deepening the mystery surrounding that era of hip-hop.
Jury selection continues in Las Vegas
Jury selection remains a key stage of the Davis trial. On Tuesday, 21 potential jurors were questioned individually. Nine were excused, while the others advanced to another stage.
Fifteen additional potential jurors were expected to face questioning Wednesday.
The court hopes to build a pool of 36 potential jurors. That group will eventually be reduced to 16 people. Twelve will serve as jurors, while four will become alternates.
As the trial progresses, prosecutors and defense attorneys will face the difficult task of presenting evidence from an investigation that began nearly three decades ago.
The Tupac Shakur murder trial could therefore become a major test of whether old statements, witness accounts and surviving evidence can finally establish what happened on that September night in Las Vegas.
