Duane "Keffe D" Davis, who was arrested Friday, has publicly described himself as one of three "living eyewitnesses" to Shakur's 1996 murder in Las Vegas. He was charged with the fatal drive-by shooting of iconic rapper Tupac Shakur.

This marks the most significant break in the 27-year-old cold case.

Las Vegas Police Execute Search Warrant in Tupac Shakur Murder Investigation - USA Herald

Breaking News: Las Vegas Police Raid Home Linked to Tupac Shakur’s Murder - USA Herald

In a Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department press conference, the arrest and indictment were announced. A Nevada grand jury indicted Davis on one count of murder with a deadly weapon and a gang enhancement.

Chief Deputy District Attorney Marc DiGiacomo revealed that Davis played a pivotal role in orchestrating Shakur's murder, marking a significant breakthrough in a case that has captivated the world for decades.

During the press conference, DiGiacomo emphasized that the Shakur family is fully aware of Davis's arrest and has expressed satisfaction with this long-awaited development.

Davis's connection to the murder is underscored in his 2019 co-authored book, "Compton Street Legends," where he identifies himself as one of the "living eyewitnesses" to Shakur's tragic demise. The book's Amazon description highlights this extraordinary claim.

Tupac Shakur, a Grammy-winning rap sensation with a massive fan base, fell victim to a drive-by shooting on September 7, 1996. He was en route to a nightclub in Las Vegas when he was killed.

Despite the extensive public interest and speculation surrounding the case, it had remained unsolved for years. The case went cold.

This summer, the Las Vegas Police breathed new life into the investigation. On July 17 authorities executed a search warrant at a Henderson, Nevada residence which was directly linked to Duane "Keffe D" Davis. 

The operation sought to gather crucial evidence related to the case. Among the items retrieved during the search were an iPhone, a desktop computer, four laptops, several tablets (some with damaged screens), one enclosed in a pink case, a copy of "Compton Street Legends," a Vibe magazine issue featuring Shakur, as well as two black containers filled with photographs and alleged marijuana, according to the affidavit previously reviewed by PEOPLE.

Rapper Tupac Shakur left a music legacy

The night of Shakur's murder he was attending a Mike Tyson heavyweight match at the MGM Grand Hotel in Las Vegas, accompanied by Marion "Suge" Knight, the founder of Death Row Records, who had signed Shakur in 1995. 

While en route to Knight's Las Vegas nightclub later that evening, their vehicle came under attack, with multiple gunshots fired at them while stopped at a red light. Knight also sustained a minor head injury from a bullet graze.

He was shot four times and was rushed to the hospital. The rapper ultimately lost a lung and succumbed to his injuries nearly a week later.

 Shakur's untimely death left an indelible mark on the music industry and his millions of devoted fans.

Tupac Shakur's enduring legacy as one of the most gifted and influential rappers in history is indisputable. Rolling Stone acknowledged him as one of the 100 greatest artists of all time in 2010.

 He posthumously received several honors, including induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2017, the dedication of a street in Oakland, California, bearing his name, and the awarding of a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2023.