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JTaNnouL » “Hscems UL an image he has to keep up to sefl records,” says a friend about Shalur’s gangsta pose. But at the Sept. 4 MTV Awards, Shakur (right, with Snoop Doggy Dogg) nearty came to blows with fellow rapper Nas. Y “He's not the bad persoa every- one thinks he Is,” says ex-wife Keisha Mortis, who stood by Shakur as he recovered from 4 1994 shooting ibelow, ia New York City}. addition to his mother, Afeni Shakur, a founding member of the Black Pan- thers, the unconscious Shakur was vis- ited by the Rev, Jesse Jackson, rapper Hammer and actress Jasmine Guy, who would say only that “Tupac's family is grateful for the public's support.” No one else close to Shakur would com- ment on the shooting, but one friend, 76 5/23/96 PEOPLE 9A Tae VeISISINAIS NWOSWE artist manager Joan Hyler, stresses that the singer was not to blame for the shooting. “Just because he’s had prob- lems in the past, is it fair to condemn him?” Hyler asks. “He's extrem. ented and bright. I just ho tance himself from his ex-wife Keisha Morps” rms, says, “He's an ta gangster. As a per- is very misunderstood.” In fatt the shooting itself seems equally difficult to fathom. Las Vegas police, who say they have no leads, complained that they were receiving little cooperation from anyone in Shakur's camp, even though there were about 10 cars full of bodyguards and friends with Knight, “They're telling us they didn't see anything and don’t know anything,” says Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Sgt. Kevin Man- ning. He adds that police have conclud- ed the shootings are not related toa shouting match Shakur got into with an unidentified man during the Tyson fight. The flashy-dressing, 315-Ib. Knight, who reportedly boasted that rivals had contracts out on his life, was still dodging police days after the inci- dent. Although his company has amassed a fortune estimated at over $100 million, the Compton, Calif., na- O2Oa actunarg weaned aAdLB Y “This tragedy just breaks your heart,” says movie producer Brad Krevoy of Shakur (on Saturday Night Live In February). VINMSW AMARONE 107 wOa DM Fe tive is reputed to have ties to the Bloods street gang. For Shakur, who once studied the- ater at the Baltimore School for the Arts and drew praise for his sensitivity and social consciousness, the shooting Comes at a time when he is free on $).4 million bail (posted by Knight), while appealing his rape conviction and mak- ing a cormerted effort to keep two ca- reers on track. Shakur, who starred in 1992's jutce and with Janet Jackson in 1993’ Poetic Justice, recently returned to making movies. His latest, Gridlock, a dark comedy costarring Pulp Fiction’s Tim Roth, is due out in February. And just the week before he was shot, Shakur wrapped Geng Related, in which he plays a corrupt cop. “He was a great spirit on the set, positive and uplifting,” says Gang producer Brad Krevoy. “Considering what you heard about him, that was all in his past.” What effect the shooting might have on Shakur's future as a per- former remains to be seen. The ques- tion last week was, Would he survive? While he continues to battle for his life, those close to the rapper remain hopeful as they keep up their vigil. “My prayers are with him," Says ex- wife Morris. “He's a survivor, and | know he will pull through,” BCALNIN BAKER s KAREN BRAILSFORD i Las Vegas, TOM CUNNEFE in Los Angeles and BROOKE STACHVRA int New York City