TRUE CRIME NEWSTupac Shakur's Brother Expresses Cautious Hope Ahead of Sensational Murder Trial
Tupac Shakur died in September 1996.
Aug. 9 2026, Published 12:31 p.m. ET
Tupac Shakur's stepbrother, Mopreme Shakur, shared his thoughts about the upcoming murder trial of Duane “Keffe D” Davis, the man who is accused of killing the late rapper in 1996.
Mopreme opened up to CNN on Friday, August 7, and said he's hopeful the iconic gangsta rap star may posthumously receive justice.
Mopreme Shakur Said the Situation Surrounding the Trial Has Been 'Rough'
Mopreme Shakur shared his thoughts on Duane Davis' murder trial.
Of the circumstances surrounding the trial, Mopreme said it's "been rough, as it would be for anyone revisiting a situation like this."
"We are just being cautiously optimistic and letting the process take its course," the Thug Life group member said.
Tupac Shakur Died in September 1996 After Being Shot in Las Vegas
Tupac Shakur was shot while sitting in a car with Suge Knight on September 7, 1996.
"[Tupac's passing] has been quite difficult as you can imagine," Mopreme added. "I worked with my brother through his whole career. I've been on every album except the last one, ['The Don Killuminati: The 7 Day Theory'].
"Not only did I lose a brother, but I also lost a colleague and a partner," he sighed.
The "California Love" singer was shot on September 7, 1996, while sitting in a car with former Death Row Records CEO Suge Knight, just hours after they attended a Mike Tyson fight at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
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Duane 'Keffe D' Davis Gave an Interview From Jail Where He Claimed He Wasn't in Las Vegas When the Murder Occurred
Duane Davis was arrested in 2023 in connection to Tupac Shakur's murder.
Tupac died six days later and no one was ever arrested in connection to the killing until Duane, 63, was apprehended in 2023.
Duane is currently incarnated at the Clark County Detention Center in Las Vegas, and his trial is set to begin on August 10. He also gave a jailhouse interview recently where he claimed he did not write a 2019 tell-all book titled Compton Street Legend that discussed his role in the shooting of Tupac.
"I wasn’t in Las Vegas," he told Fox 5 on August 7, also alleging a "ghostwriter" penned the book.
Duane Davis claimed he didn't write a book in 2019 about Tupac Shakur's death.
“I did not write that book,” he insisted, adding he kept his name on the memoir so he could “make my family some money."
“We not here to talk about that book. I’m here to tell you that my family’s life is in danger. I’m here to tell you there’s a bunch of lies going on. I’m not here to talk about that book. And there’s a gag order on that type of stuff anyway,” Duane continued.
He also stated he would testify in court if he "has to," and would continue to fight for his innocence. "If I don’t win in this court, I’ll win in the next level," he added.
