Keefe D Speaks Out in First TV Interview Since Arrest for Tupac Shakur’s Murder

Duane “Keefe D” Davis, the man accused of orchestrating the fatal 1996 shooting of rap icon Tupac Shakur, is speaking out publicly for the first time since his 2023 arrest. In a televised interview with ABC News, Davis, 61, maintained his innocence as he awaits trial.

“I’m innocent,” Davis asserted. “I did everything they asked me to do. Get new friends. Stop selling drugs. I stopped all that.”

He expressed frustration over his current legal situation, adding, “I’m supposed to be out there enjoying my twilight at one of my f**king grandson’s football games and basketball games. Enjoying life with my kids.”

Davis, a former gang leader from Compton, California, has been in the spotlight for years due to his alleged connection to the unsolved murder of Tupac Shakur. His arrest came decades after the shooting, fueled by statements he made in interviews, documentaries, and his 2019 memoir, Compton Street Legend.

However, Keefe D now claims he never actually authored the book, despite his co-writing credit. “I’ve never read the book,” he stated, distancing himself from its contents.

According to Davis, he merely provided details of his life to co-author Yusuf Jah, who then conducted independent research and wrote the book.

Beyond his literary claims, Davis insists he has witnesses who can corroborate his alibi for the night of the Las Vegas shooting. He also alleges that previous interviews and other public statements about the case were financially motivated rather than confessions.

“God got my back, and God will see me through this,” he said. “He had my back with cancer, I survived the streets, and the FBI. That’s a big accomplishment for a man from Compton.”

Keefe D was arrested in September 2023 and charged with one count of murder with a deadly weapon. Clark County Chief Deputy District Attorney Marc DiGiacomo has described him as the “on-ground, on-site commander” who “ordered the death” of Tupac Shakur.

His defense team, led by attorney Carl E.G. Arnold, has sought to have the charges dismissed, citing delays in the prosecutorial process and an alleged “proffer agreement” Davis made with federal investigators, which he claims granted him immunity in exchange for information.

The trial, originally set for 2025, has been postponed until February 9, 2026, to allow the defense additional time to interview witnesses. Davis has pleaded not guilty to all charges and remains steadfast in his claims of innocence.