Bouncer Shot During Altercation With Rapper Proof Dies

The man allegedly shot by D12 rapper Proof died yesterday morning (April 17) at a Detroit hospital. Keith Bender Jr., 35, died at St. John Hospital and Medical Center from a gunshot wound received during an altercation with the rapper inside the C.C.C. club on April 11. According to police, eye witnesses said Proof, born Deshaun Holton, shot Bender in the head, after knocking him to the ground during an argument. Bender's cousin Mario Etheridge, 28, returned fire and killed the rapper instantly with multiple shots to the head and body. Lawyers for Proof have vigorously denied eye witness accounts that he fired first. Etheridge pleaded not guilty Saturday (April 15) to two counts of carrying a concealed weapon and the discharge of a firearm in a building. Etheridge claims he was acting in self-defense. He faces a maximum of five years in prison. A preliminary hearing takes place April 26. A viewing and funeral for Proof takes place today (April 18) and tomorrow (April 19) at the Fellowship Chapel in Detroit.