What is behind the investigation into the murder of Tupac Shakur? | Music news

An investigation into the murder of Tupac Shakur, widely known as 2Pac, has been revived after authorities in the US state of Nevada issued a search warrant this week in connection with the death of the rap star on September 7, 1996.

Here’s what to know about the rapper’s murder and the investigation into the most notorious fatal shooting in hip-hop history:

What’s new in this investigation?

The search warrant was carried out on Monday in the city of Henderson, located on the outskirts of Las Vegas, Nevada.

Las Vegas murder investigators and prosecutors have determined they have enough information to move forward with a court-authorized search, an official familiar with the investigation told ABC News.

The search was conducted with the Las Vegas Metro PD SWAT located at approximately 10pm local time (05:00 GMT).

ABC News described the scene as rowdy, with police using loudspeakers and flashing lights.

The news network also reported that investigators searched computers, laptops, and articles about Shakur and his death.

The evidence collected will now be presented to a grand jury in Las Vegas.

Citing the ongoing investigation, a police spokesperson said he could provide no further details on the latest developments in the case, including whether a suspect has been identified.

What happened the night Shakur was killed?

September 7, 1996: The 25-year-old rapper was traveling in a black BMW driven by Marion “Suge” Knight, founder of Death Row Records, in a convoy of about 10 cars, apparently heading to a nightclub, after watching Mike Tyson knock out Bruce Seldon in a championship fight. at MGM Grand. The police said there was no one else in the car with them.

Police said a white Cadillac with four men inside pulled up next to the BMW while it was stopped at a red traffic light at an intersection near the Las Vegas Strip, and someone opened fire causing the passenger side of Knight’s car to be shot. While sitting in the passenger seat, Shakur was shot four times, at least twice in the chest.

Knight was hit by a bullet or shrapnel from the car.

September 13, 1996: Shakur’s death was announced at 04:03 pm local time (23:03 GMT) at University Medical Center in Los Angeles. The hospital says he died of respiratory failure and cardiac arrest.

What happened in the initial investigation?

1996: Las Vegas police said the initial investigation was quickly halted, in part because witnesses refused to cooperate.

After no arrests were made, speculation and theories abounded.

2002: An investigation by the Los Angeles Times indicated that the shooting was carried out by a Compton gang called the Southside Crips in revenge for Shakur striking one of its members a few hours earlier.

October 2018: Knight was sentenced to 28 years in prison for the ramming and murder of music director Terry Carter.

Before trial, Knight claimed that he was the real target of the car that killed Shakur and that his ex-wife and former Death Records security chief were behind the shooting.

2018-2019: ABC News reported that a Las Vegas Police Department official said detectives re-involved in the case after a Netflix documentary “Unsolved: The Tupac and Biggie Murders” aired in 2018, and the book “Compton Street Legend” by Duane Keith Davis, known for Also as Keffe D, who said he was one of two living witnesses to the shooting, came out in 2019.

July 17, 2023: A search warrant is issued in connection with the case.

How was his rivalry with the Notorious BIG connected?

Six months after Shakur’s murder, rival rapper The Notorious B.I.G., with whom he had a feud, was shot and killed on March 9, 1997.

It is widely believed that this shooting was related to Shakur’s murder and has not been solved either.

Both rappers were at the center of the infamous East Coast vs. West Coast rivalry that primarily defined the hip-hop scene during the mid-1990s.

The feud flared up after Shakur was seriously injured in another shooting during a robbery in a hotel lobby in midtown Manhattan.

Tupac explicitly accused both Page and Sean “Diddy” Combs of having foreknowledge of the shooting, which they both vigorously denied.

Diss tracks seemingly delivered to drive home their fierce spots. Shakur released the aggressive single Hit ‘Em Up, which targeted B.I.G., who responded with Who Shot Ya? , a record received as a mockery. However, BIG claimed that the song was not directed towards Shakur.

Why are people still interested in the case?

Shakur remains one of the most iconic figures in hip hop. The fact that his death has yet to be solved has fueled multiple conspiracy theories among fans and added layers of intrigue to any developments in the case.

Despite a professional music career that lasted only five years, he has sold 75 million records worldwide, including the diamond-winning album All Eyez on Me, which was packed with hits including California Love (Remix) and I Ain’t Mad at Cha and How do u want that.

Shakur has had five number one albums including Me Against the World in 1995 and All Eyez on Me in 1996, along with three posthumous releases: 1996’s The Don Killuminati: The 7 Day Theory, 2001’s Till the End of Time and 2004’s Loyal to the Game. .