‘RIP King“: Fans pay respect to Tupac Shakur, hope for justice as murder trial nears the end

Graffiti bearing Tupac Shakur's name can be seen on a pole Monday, August 10, 2026, near the intersection where he was shot in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Ty O‘Neil) 2026-08-29T04:01:12Z

In recent times, Shakur’s presence has been evident everywhere – from people wearing his shirts to fans blowing up "RIP King" messages on the very street corner where he met his end. Shardae Williams, one such admirer, noticed the resurgence of Shakur’s presence while on her way to work or running errands. She believes his spirit is urging for justice in the ongoing trial of the man accused of orchestrating his murder.

Nearly three decades after Shakur’s passing, the trial of the sole individual ever charged in his death has once again brought his fans back to the painful loss they have endured for years. This trial not only provides the possibility of identifying the person responsible for Shakur’s demise but also offers closure after decades of keeping his music, message, and memory alive.

Duane "Keffe D" Davis, a former Southern California street gang leader, has pleaded not guilty to the charge of orchestrating the drive-by shooting in Las Vegas. With his death in 1996, Shakur’s influence and impact continued to resonate through his devoted fans and pop culture. In 2023, Shakur was honored with a posthumous star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, a street named after him in Oakland, California, and a character in the upcoming video adventure game "Stranger than Heaven."

While there is no official memorial located at the spot where Shakur was shot on the Las Vegas Strip on September 7, 1996, numerous fans still visit the intersection and gather on his birthday, June 16. They leave messages, balloons, cake, and his preferred Hennessy brandy as tributes. Another tribute can be found nearby, where someone painted a rose with the phrase "the rose that grew from concrete" – a reference to Shakur’s posthumous poetry book.