Rapper’s Condition Still Critical Tupac Shakur’s Lung Removed; Police Have Few Leads In Attack

Doctors removed rapper Tupac Shakur’s right lung after he was shot four times in the chest during a weekend attack, and police complained Monday that uncooperative witnesses have given them few leads.

Shakur, 25, remained in critical condition at University Medical Center, spokesman Dale Pugh said. “His injuries are very severe, very traumatic.”

It was the second time in two years that Shakur, who has a history of violence and trouble with the law, has been the victim of a shooting.

Shakur was a passenger in a car heading to a nightclub late Saturday when a white Cadillac with four men inside pulled up and someone opened fire, shooting Shakur four times in the chest. His lung was removed Sunday.

Death Row Records Chairman Marion “Suge” Knight, whose Los Angeles-based company specializes in violent “gangsta” rap, was treated for a minor head wound after being grazed by a bullet fragment or shrapnel from the car.

Shakur and Knight were going to the nightclub after watching boxer Mike Tyson defeat Bruce Seldon in a title fight when the shooting occurred on Flamingo Road, one of the city’s busiest streets.

Sgt. Kevin Manning, who is heading the investigation, said Shakur apparently was the target: “He was the passenger and the one closest to the point of fire.”

Police said witnesses are staying mum.

“We did not receive a whole lot of cooperation from most of his entourage,” Manning said. “It amazes me when they have professional bodyguards that they can’t even give us an accurate description of the vehicle.”

In 1994, Shakur was shot five times while being robbed of $40,000 in jewelry in the lobby of a New York City recording studio.

At the time, he was awaiting a verdict on charges stemming from the sexual assault of a woman in a hotel room. The day after the shooting, he was convicted of sex abuse and later served eight months in prison.

Shakur has been arrested at least a half-dozen times in the past three years on charges including assault, battery and weapons possession. He is currently appealing an order to serve four months in jail for probation violations.

The rapper starred opposite Janet Jackson in the movie “Poetic Justice.” His latest album, “All Eyez On Me,” has sold at least 5 million copies.