The rapper was fatally shot on 7 September 1996 in Las Vegas
Nearly 30 years after Tupac Shakur’s tragic death, a retired police officer who was the first responder on the scene has revealed the rapper’s last words. Tupac, whose full name was Tupac Shakur, was fatally shot on September 7, 1996, after attending a boxing match in Las Vegas.
The Shooting
After watching Bruce Seldon face off against Mike Tyson at the MGM Grand Hotel, Shakur was enroute to a nightclub when a car pulled up next to his. An assailant opened fire, hitting Tupac multiple times, including two shots to the chest. His associate, Suge Knight, who was driving the vehicle, also suffered minor injuries from a bullet grazing his head. Shakur was rushed to the hospital but died six days later from internal bleeding at the age of 25.
Officer Carroll’s Account
One of the first people to arrive at the scene was Chris Carroll, a retired Las Vegas police officer. Carroll recently recounted the chaotic moments following the shooting in an interview with The Art of Dialogue. He described holding Shakur in his arms and realizing the severity of the injuries.
“I looked at him, and I was like, ‘This guy’s probably gonna die,’” Carroll recalled. “I could tell by looking at him, it was a bad situation.”
Carroll said he tried to get a “dying declaration” from Tupac, asking the rapper to name his shooter. Although Shakur initially didn’t respond, he eventually looked at Carroll and uttered two final words: “F**k you.” Carroll added, “That would be his last words that he ever said.”
The Aftermath
Shakur was taken to the University Medical Center of Southern Nevada, where he was placed on life support. On September 13, 1996, his mother made the heart-wrenching decision to remove him from life support after his condition failed to improve.
In the years following his death, the case remained unsolved, fueling speculation and conspiracy theories. However, in 2023, Duane “Keffe D” Davis was arrested and charged with first-degree murder in connection to Shakur’s killing. Davis pleaded not guilty, and his trial is scheduled for March 17, 2025.
Other Witness Accounts
E.D.I. Mean, a fellow rapper and associate of Shakur, was also present at the time of the shooting. He recalled Tupac’s reaction immediately after the gunfire. “He told me, ‘Get on the ground, they’re going to shoot you,’” E.D.I. Mean shared during Davis’ trial.
Despite his untimely death, Tupac Shakur remains one of the most influential figures in hip-hop history. His music, activism, and cultural impact continue to resonate with fans around the world. The revelations about his final moments add another layer to the enduring mystery surrounding his life and death.