Duane “Keffe D” Davis was sentenced Tuesday in Las Vegas to 40 years to life in prison for his role in the 1996 murder of rapper Tupac Shakur. Davis, 63, was convicted in August of first-degree murder with the use of a deadly weapon and remains the only person to be charged in connection with Shakur’s death.

The killing, which occurred more than 30 years ago, took place on Sept. 7, 1996, when Shakur was riding as a passenger in a black BMW driven by music executive Marion “Suge” Knight. The vehicle was stopped at a red light near the Las Vegas Strip when a white Cadillac pulled alongside them and opened fire. Shakur was hit multiple times and died six days later. Knight survived the attack.

Prosecutors have long pursued justice in the case but had been unable to secure charges until Davis publicly admitted his involvement. A former leader of the South Side Compton Crips gang, Davis implicated himself through interviews and his 2019 memoir, where he detailed his part in the shooting.

During the sentencing hearing, prosecutor Marc Digiacomo argued that Davis sought to profit from the crime and deserved the maximum penalty. “It’s not just about losing a family member,” Digiacomo said, referencing the impact on Shakur’s family, including his sister Sekyiwa “Set” Shakur, who was present in court. “In my mind he deserves the maximum possible sentence.”

Davis addressed the court briefly, requesting the return of personal items seized by police during the investigation, including photographs. When asked if he wished to make any further statements, he declined.

Defense attorney Michael Sanft indicated plans to appeal the conviction, criticizing the prosecution for what he described as undue delays in bringing the case forward.

Tupac Shakur, despite being only 25 at the time of his death, had already achieved widespread acclaim as one of the most influential and versatile rappers of his generation and was also pursuing a promising acting career. His cultural impact has continued to grow in the decades since his passing, with his music still resonating with fans worldwide.