Gunfire was reported outside the Las Vegas courthouse where Duane “Keffe D” Davis is standing trial for the 1996 murder of Tupac Shakur.
Police responded to the area near the Clark County Regional Justice Center on Tuesday, August 18, after receiving reports of shots fired during a lunch break in the high-profile trial.
Officers searched businesses around Casino Center Boulevard, but authorities did not locate a shooting victim or immediately confirm a crime scene. The incident did not disrupt proceedings, which resumed afterward.
The startling scene unfolded as prosecutors continued presenting evidence against Davis, who has pleaded not guilty to a murder charge in connection with Shakur’s death.
Police Respond to Gunfire Near Tupac Shakur Trial
The reported shots came shortly after members of Shakur’s family stepped outside the courthouse during a break.
A heavy police presence followed as officers investigated the area surrounding the courthouse.
Despite the initial reports, authorities found no confirmed victim, and no connection between the reported gunfire and the Tupac murder trial has been established.
Court proceedings continued as scheduled.
The timing nonetheless drew attention given the heightened security and public interest surrounding a trial nearly 30 years in the making.
Duane “Keffe D” Davis Is on Trial for Tupac’s Murder
Davis, 63, is accused of helping orchestrate the September 1996 drive-by shooting that ultimately killed Tupac Shakur.
Prosecutors allege the killing was retaliation for a fight inside the MGM Grand earlier that night in which Shakur and members of his entourage attacked Davis’ nephew, Orlando “Baby Lane” Anderson.
Davis is not accused of personally firing the shots.
Instead, prosecutors allege he obtained the weapon and helped organize the attack before riding in the white Cadillac that pulled alongside the BMW carrying Shakur and Death Row Records co-founder Marion “Suge” Knight.
Davis has pleaded not guilty, and his defense has challenged the prosecution’s evidence while arguing that some of his past public statements about the killing were exaggerated or fabricated.
Tupac Shakur’s Family Faces Graphic Evidence in Court
Tuesday’s proceedings also became emotional for members of Shakur’s family.
Jurors were shown surveillance footage from the MGM Grand confrontation that prosecutors believe set the fatal chain of events in motion.
A forensic pathologist also testified about Shakur’s injuries as graphic autopsy photographs were presented in court.
Some relatives chose to leave the courtroom before the images were displayed, while others remained as prosecutors detailed the injuries that ultimately killed the rapper.
Shakur was shot multiple times on September 7, 1996, while riding with Knight near the Las Vegas Strip. He died six days later at 25 years old.
Tupac Murder Trial Continues After Courthouse Scare
The reported gunfire outside the courthouse did not halt the trial.
Prosecutors are expected to call numerous witnesses as they attempt to prove Davis played a central role in arranging Shakur’s killing.
The case relies heavily on Davis’ past interviews, public statements and memoir, in which prosecutors say he discussed his presence in the Cadillac and details surrounding the attack.
Davis maintains his innocence.
For now, police have not announced any evidence connecting Tuesday’s reported gunfire to the trial, Tupac’s family or anyone involved in the proceedings.