Key Facts at a Glance
2Pac (Tupac Shakur) died on September 13, 1996, at age 25. He was shot six days earlier on September 7, 1996, in a drive-by shooting in Las Vegas, Nevada, and remained hospitalized until passing six days later. Below is a concise table summarizing the essential verified details, followed by a step-by-step breakdown of the timeline, medical events, and common clarifications.
Verified Event Timeline
| Date | Event | Verified Detail | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|---|
| September 7, 1996 | Shooting | Drive-by shooting in Las Vegas, NV | Injuries led to hospitalization and eventual death |
| September 7–13, 1996 | Hospitalization | Remained in intensive care for six days | Critical condition was sustained, not immediately fatal |
| September 13, 1996 | Time of Death | 4:03 PM PDT | Official time recorded by authorities and hospital |
| September 13, 1996 | Age at Death | 25 years old | Born June 16, 1971; died before his 26th birthday |
What Happened: Shooting and Hospitalization
On September 7, 1996, in Las Vegas, Nevada, 2Pac was a passenger in a car that was involved in a drive-by shooting after attending the Bruce Seldon boxing match at the MGM Grand. He sustained multiple gunshot wounds and was rushed to University Medical Center of Southern Nevada. For six days he remained in critical but stable condition, undergoing surgery and intensive medical care before succumbing to his injuries.
Age at Death: Calculation and Context
Born on June 16, 1971, and pronounced dead on September 13, 1996, 2Pac was 25 years old at the time of death. He had not yet reached his 26th birthday, meaning he died in the same calendar year as his 25th birthday. This age is consistently reported by law enforcement, medical examiners, and biographies that rely on official records.
Common Questions and Clarifications
Because his death occurred shortly after the shooting, some sources conflate the two dates. It is important to distinguish the date of injury (September 7) from the date of death (September 13). Additionally, confusion sometimes arises about his age due to discrepancies in birth year reporting, but official documents confirm 1971 as his birth year and 25 as his age at death.
Medical and Official Records
The official cause of death was respiratory failure and cardiopulmonary arrest due to multiple gunshot wounds. The Clark County Coroner’s Office and the involved hospitals released reports confirming both the timeline and the age. These records are widely cited in legal, academic, and biographical works when referencing the circumstances of his passing.
Legacy and Ongoing Influence
Despite his death at 25, 2Pac’s influence on music, activism, and culture remains significant. His posthumous releases and enduring relevance in hip-hop demonstrate how his brief life continues to shape conversations around art, race, and justice. Understanding the facts of his age at death helps keep focus on the real human behind the myth.