Tupac Shakur murder: Photographer who captured rapper's final moments recalls Las Vegas Boulevard incident

The photographer Leonard Jefferson who took the last picture of Tupac Shakur has reportedly been asked to testify in the rapper's murder trial in Las Vegas. According to KTLA 5, Leonard took the snap on September 7, 1996, just a few minutes before Tupac was shot on Las Vegas Boulevard. The photographer said that he had noticed a black BMW next to him at a red traffic light. He said,

"I looked up and saw Tupac and Sush in the car."

After seeing both inside the car, Leonard greeted Tupac and asked how he was. Tupac recognized him and responded warmly. Leonard then asked where Tupac was heading and Tupac explained that they were going to a club and told him to follow. Before the traffic light changed, Leonard unknowingly captured the last known photograph of Tupac.

Continue reading more about Tupac Shakur's murder.

Photographer recalls capturing Tupac Shakur's final photo in Las Vegas

As per reports, Leonard Jefferson had come to Las Vegas Boulevard to watch a Mike Tyson fight but got stuck in heavy traffic while he was on his way to get a pizza. During transit, he suddenly noticed a black car pull up and stop next to him. He recalled hat the car had shiny wheels that resembled a BMW.

Inside the car, he saw Tupac Shakur and Death Row Records co-founder Suge Knight. He took a quick decision to capture a defining moment in music history before the signal turned green. He then asked if he could take their pictures and they allowed him.

The image revealed that Tupac was sitting in the BMW's passenger seat looking toward Leonard's camera. Leonard said,

"I had my camera in my little central console. I grab my camera and then I just turned and snap the picture."

As soon as his camera's shutter clicked, the traffic light changed and just a few minutes later he heard gunshots. Leonard recalled,

"Suddenly I heard a pop, pop, pop, pop. Sush said, my friend Pac is shot. Pac is shot."

Soon the policeman pointed his gun at Leonard and stopped him on the island. After that, they pulled Tupac Shakur out of the car and placed him on the ground. The rapper died at 25 from his injuries six days after he was shot.

Cole Swanson planned to create a movie on the photographer and the historic photo

At the court, Leonard has been asked to testify about what he saw that night and about the photographs he captured just before the shootout. Prosecutors claimed that Duane Davis had planned the murder of Tupac Shakur. On KTLA 5, Leonard talked about the 30-year-old Nikon film camera which he used to take that historic photo.

According to reports, the photograph has been reprinted by outlets such as Vibe and Vanity Fair. Filmmaker Cole Swanson has planned to create a short film about Leonard and the famous picture. This means Leonard's story could soon reach new viewers through the movie.

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