An In-depth Examination of the Night Tupac Shakur Was Fatally Shot and the Precursors to the Deadly Encounter

The initial arrest related to Tupac Shakur’s 1996 demise took place on a recent Friday, when Duane “Keffe D” Davis was indicted for murder. Davis is among the few surviving eyewitnesses of the drive-by shooting in Las Vegas that claimed the life of the renowned hip-hop artist. This article delves into the crucial hours that culminated in the deadly gunfire.

The Intersection of Tupac, Suge Knight, and the Tyson-Seldon Fight in Las Vegas

In the afternoon hours of September 7, 1996, Tupac Shakur, accompanied by Suge Knight, the CEO of his recording label, Death Row Records, arrived in Las Vegas. They were joined by an entourage that included Shakur’s fiancée, Kidada Jones, as well as his cousins and close associates, to witness a heavyweight boxing match between Mike Tyson and Bruce Seldon.

By approximately 8:30 p.m., Shakur and Knight had settled into their front-row seats at the MGM Grand Garden Arena to watch the match. The fight was short-lived, lasting less than two minutes and resulting in Tyson defeating Seldon in the first round, thereby claiming the WBA Heavyweight title.

Post-Fight Confrontations and Ensuing Conflict

Shortly after 8:40 p.m., Tyson and Shakur, who were personal friends, embraced each other just outside the fighting ring in a celebratory manner.

Around 8:50 p.m., in a vicinity adjacent to the arena within the hotel and casino complex, a physical altercation broke out involving Shakur, Knight, and their crew, and a group that included Davis and his nephew, Orlando “Baby Lane” Anderson. The latter two were affiliates of the South Side Compton Crips, a gang based in Southern California, and known rivals to Knight’s gang, Mob Piru, as stated by Las Vegas police.

Surveillance footage captured Shakur and Knight engaged in a physical assault on Anderson near an elevator cluster. Anderson, who later lost his life in a separate gang-related incident in 1998, had long been a suspect in Shakur’s murder according to law enforcement agencies.

By approximately 9:00 p.m., Shakur and Knight had exited the premises of the MGM Grand.

From Undetermined Activities to Obtaining a Firearm

Between 9:00 p.m. and 11:00 p.m., Shakur’s exact whereabouts remain somewhat uncertain. However, he had plans to make a late appearance at Club 662, owned by Knight, accompanied by Tyson. Some members of the Death Row entourage departed the MGM Grand and made stops at the Luxor Hotel and Casino, where Jones was staying, and at a Las Vegas residence owned by Knight.

Meanwhile, Davis was engaged in procuring a firearm, which police assert was meant for retribution for the earlier altercation at the casino. This information was revealed during a police press briefing held on Friday.

A Fateful Intersection: Black BMW, White Cadillac, and a Barrage of Bullets

Around 11:00 p.m., Shakur was in the passenger seat of a black BMW driven by Knight. They were stopped by the police near the Las Vegas Strip for loud music and a license plate violation but were allowed to proceed after a brief and casual interaction with the officers.

By approximately 11:15 p.m., the vehicle was stationary at a red light at the intersection of Flamingo Road and Koval Lane. Malcolm Greenidge, a friend of Shakur’s who was in a following vehicle, testified to the grand jury that indicted Davis that Shakur was conversing with some women in a nearby car.

Shortly after, a white Cadillac pulled up beside the BMW. Davis admitted in past interviews and his 2019 memoir that he was in that car. According to police at Friday’s press conference, Davis was in the front passenger seat and handed the earlier-acquired weapon to a person in the rear seat.

Greenidge testified, “After the women departed, another vehicle moved next to Mr. Shakur and Mr. Knight, and an arm extended out of the back window, initiating gunfire.”

Over a dozen rounds were fired; Shakur was struck by four bullets, including two in his chest. Knight suffered minor injuries from a bullet fragment. Currently, Knight is serving a 28-year sentence for manslaughter in a separate California case.

Emergency services arrived at approximately 11:20 p.m., and Shakur was rushed to University Medical Center. In the subsequent days, he would undergo surgery to remove a lung and be placed on a respirator in intensive care. Shakur succumbed to his injuries six days later, on September 13, at the age of 25.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Tupac Shakur’s fatal shooting

More about Tupac Shakur’s fatal shooting

• Tupac Shakur’s Biography
• The History of Death Row Records
• The Mike Tyson vs. Bruce Seldon Fight
• Unsolved Murders in Hip-Hop
• Gang Violence in Southern California
• Suge Knight’s Legal Troubles
• The Indictment of Duane “Keffe D” Davis
• Las Vegas Police Department Press Releases
• Orlando “Baby Lane” Anderson’s Background
• The 1996 Hip-Hop Scene