"Who Killed Tupac Shakur?": The Los Angeles Times Names Orlando Anderson as the Shooter

Shortly before the sixth anniversary of his death, the Los Angeles Times published its own answer to the question of Tupac’s death. On September 6, 2002, the first part of the series “Who Killed Tupac Shakur?” by Chuck Philips appeared. According to his own statements, the reporter had investigated for more than a year and spoken with police officers and gang members who had remained silent until then. In advance, he had announced a “definite East Coast connection” to the New York Post.

The Core Allegations

Philips named Orlando Anderson of the Southside Crips as the shooter, who was himself shot dead in 1998 and never charged. The alleged motive was revenge for the beating in the lobby of the MGM Grand. The newspaper further claimed that The Notorious B.I.G. had offered the Crips one million dollars and supplied his own gun. According to rap.de, the article stated that contact ran through people Sean Combs had employed as security personnel. The text contained no statements from the accused.

First Reactions

E.D.I. Mean of the Outlawz expressed shock to AllHipHop: “I hope he’s got good, good evidence.” He stated that he did not want retaliation. Biggie’s family immediately rejected the account. The allegation against Biggie was never proven (more on the Philips case).