LAS VEGAS — Dr. Lisa Gavin, a forensic pathologist and medical examiner for Clark County, Nevada, testified as an expert witness during the trial of Duane Davis in Las Vegas. The proceedings included the display of autopsy photographs that prompted some family members of Tupac Shakur to leave the courtroom while others remained to view the evidence.

Duane "Keffe D" Davis is on trial in Las Vegas for the 1996 drive-by shooting that killed Tupac Shakur. Davis has pleaded not guilty to the charges and faces a potential life sentence if convicted of murder with a deadly weapon with the intent to promote, further, or assist a criminal gang. He is charged with one count of murder using a deadly weapon in Nevada's Clark County.

Prosecutors allege Tupac Shakur was killed to avenge an attack on Duane Davis' nephew, Orlando "Baby Lane" Anderson, at the MGM Grand earlier that day. Jurors were shown surveillance video from the MGM Grand depicting a physical altercation involving Tupac Shakur's entourage and Orlando Anderson. The footage showed security and police arriving at the scene and speaking with Anderson, who was wearing a number 13 Dan Marino Miami Dolphins jersey.

Tupac Shakur was shot while riding in a black BMW with Marion "Suge" Knight a few hours after the MGM Grand incident. Prosecutors state that shots were fired from a white Cadillac containing Duane Davis, Orlando Anderson, and two other men. Duane Davis is not charged with pulling the trigger in the shooting of Tupac Shakur.

During the testimony, jurors were shown a photo of a green body bag and a photo of Tupac Shakur's body. One photo shown to jurors displayed chest tubes that remained in Tupac Shakur's body from his hospital stay. The autopsy photos were not shown on the video feed of the trial.

Dr. Gavin testified that three bullets struck Tupac Shakur, including one that traveled through his chest and lung. She also testified that additional bullets damaged Tupac Shakur's intestines and other parts of his body. Doctors removed Tupac Shakur's damaged lung in an effort to save his life after the shooting. Tupac Shakur spent six days in the hospital before dying from his injuries.

Dr. Gavin was not present at Tupac Shakur's original autopsy but was called as an expert witness because the original examiner has died. Some members of Tupac Shakur's family left the courtroom before prosecutors displayed the autopsy photos during the second day of testimony. Zayd Akinyela, Tupac Shakur's cousin, remained in the courtroom to view the autopsy photos.

"That's why I wanted to stay and just see for my own personal closure." Akinyela said. He stated that viewing the autopsy photos made him feel angry and sad. "I feel like the details, especially for people that are close to him, honestly for me helps, helps the grief process. I think we've been waiting 30 years to grieve properly."

Akinyela added that understanding the circumstances aids the mourning process for those affected. "A lot of people don't get to grieve until they understand what happened to their loved one and how it happened," he said. He explained that his spiritual beliefs helped mitigate the impact of viewing the remains.

"I'm very spiritual, so just seeing the body doesn't affect me the same way as it might some people. I do believe that his spirit is still around and still lives on through his family and through his legacy."

Defense attorney Michael Sanft told jurors that law enforcement did not previously charge Duane Davis because they believed his self-implicating statements were untrue. Former Las Vegas police officer Garry Dale testified that Tupac Shakur refused to identify his attackers while in the ambulance. Former Las Vegas police officer Dean O’Kelley testified to finding several cartridges on the street at the scene of the shooting.

O’Kelley also testified that reports indicated the suspect’s vehicle was a white Cadillac potentially occupied by four Black men. Marion "Suge" Knight has stated he does not want to be called as a witness in the case.

Timeline

On September 7, 1996, Tupac Shakur was shot at 11:15 p.m. (PDT) while stopped at a red light at East Flamingo Road and Koval Lane in Paradise, Nevada. Shakur died from his injuries six days later, on September 13, 1996.

On August 17, 2026, former Las Vegas police officer Garry Dale testified that Tupac Shakur refused to identify his attackers while in the ambulance. On August 18, 2026, prosecutors alleged Tupac Shakur was killed to avenge an attack on Duane Davis' nephew, Orlando "Baby Lane" Anderson, at the MGM Grand earlier that day. Also on August 18, 2026, it was noted that Tupac Shakur was shot while riding in a black BMW with Marion "Suge Knight a few hours after the MGM Grand incident. During this period, Zayd Akinyela stated, That's why I wanted to stay and just see for my own personal closure." He also said, "I feel like the details, especially for people that are close to him, honestly for me helps, helps the grief process. I think we've been waiting 30 years to grieve properly." Additionally, Akinyela remarked, "I'm very spiritual, so just seeing the body doesn't affect me the same way as it might some people. I do believe that his spirit is still around and still lives on through his family and through his legacy."

Why It Matters

The trial provides family members with specific details about the shooting that some say are necessary to properly grieve after 30 years. While some relatives left before viewing autopsy photos, others remained to seek personal closure through understanding exactly how the victim died. The proceedings also mark a shift from previous investigations where law enforcement did not charge Davis due to doubts about his self-implicating statements.