For more than two decades, the world has spent time developing theories about how Tupac Shakur was shot dead on the Las Vegas Strip at the age of 25, and Orlando Anderson has been named as a person of interest in the murder investigation. Despite the denials and speculation, the death of the charismatic hip-hop icon continues to highlight the dangers of the gangster’s life to date. While there have been a lot of conspiracy theories about the legendary rapper’s demise, the time has gradually brought to light the truth about the events surrounding the September 7, 1996 murder incident. Here’s everything you need to know about the prime suspect.
Who Is Orlando Anderson?
Orlando Tive Anderson, known as Baby Lane, was born August 13, 1974, the son of Charlotte Davis and Harvey Lee Anderson. Despite the separation of his parents, Anderson had a secure childhood as he was raised primarily by his grandparents and family members. He grew up in one of the most run-down areas of L.A. and became involved in local gangs in his early teens. Orlando, who was described by friends and classmates as a friendly, cool guy, first attended Taft High School and later transferred to Dominguez High School in Compton for his final year.
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While at Dominguez High School, he began dating a nursing student named Rasheena Smith. The duo lived together in an apartment in Lakewood and had two girls Krystal and Courtney. Young Orlando Anderson later became an unemployed father of three when he had a girl, Ariel, with another lady named Taiece Lanier. Anderson was better known as a member of the South Side Crips. But unlike typical gang members from the neighborhood, he was not a heavy drinker, did not smoke, and was never convicted of any crime.
Orlando had a close relationship with his half-brother Pooh, and together they later founded a record company called Success Records. Sadly, Orlando Anderson’s life was shortened on May 29, 1998. Despite the widespread belief that he is Tupac’s killer, Anderson’s family insists on his innocence. His brother Pooh, who describes Orlando as a quiet guy who never caused a problem and was always involved in positive things, still believes there is a mix-up somewhere.
The Untold Truth of the Prime Suspect in the Murder of Tupac Shakur
The events that led to the death of Tupac Shakur have been told from different perspectives for years. Even though the murder of 2Pac may seem like an unnecessary story due to the nature of the incident, it is appropriate that fans be reminded of the truth of what happened to the hip hop icon on September 7, 1996.
Pac’s death has been linked to an incident that took place a few weeks earlier. The rap star may have sealed his fate and participated in his passing from gangbanging days before. Among the many theories about Tupac’s death, the most popular is that he was killed by gangbanger Orlando Anderson.
Orlando “Baby Lane” Anderson, who is a member of the Southside Compton Crips, is said to have stolen a medallion from a death row member – some of whom have been linked to the rival LA gang The Bloods. Days later, on September 7, 1996, while walking through a casino lobby in Las Vegas, Tupac, Marion “Suge” Knight, and his blood gang attacked Anderson in a fistfight. The legendary rapper was unaware that a punch in the face of a Crips had sealed his fate.
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This incident was the reason for Baby Lane to gather three more Crips for a vendetta against the rapper. A few hours later, Tupac was shot dead at 11:15 p.m. in a drive-by shooting on the Las Vegas strip. While Death Row Records’ main character Marion “Suge” Knight drove a BMW and the rapper was in the passenger seat, her car was littered with bullets from the back seat of a rented white Cadillac. Tupac died six days later in the hospital after being hit four times in the chest, arm, and thigh. He was 25 years old.
Originally it was speculated that Suge was involved in the murder of the Pacs, but a connection was never proven. The unknown assailant was later identified as Orlando Anderson, although the gang member denied the claims until his death. Years later, in 2009, Baby Lane’s uncle, Duane “Keefe D” Davis, who used to live next door to the alleged killer, confessed that he was in the car while Anderson pulled the trigger. In his bomb confession, Duane said that he was in the passenger seat of the Cadillac next to driver Terrence “T-Brown” Brown while Anderson and DeAndre “Dre” Smith sat behind him.
More than two decades have passed since the murder of 2Pac, and no arrests have been made in connection with his murder. Although Orlando Anderson is widely considered his killer, Pac’s brutal murder remains a mystery because the police “never wanted to solve it. Investigators claim that Orlando was already dead when they had actual evidence of his involvement in the rapper’s death. Therefore, “the man who shot Tupac” was free and never charged with the murder.
How Did ‘Baby Lane’ Die?
It was not particularly surprising to many when Orlando Anderson was killed in an unrelated shooting about 18 months after Tupac’s death. On May 29, 1998, Orlando Anderson was shot dead in a car wash in Compton because he was in debt for drugs, according to police. He was killed in a gang-related shootout in which two other men were killed. The killer of Baby Lane is serving three consecutive life sentences.
