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PROOF from D12 meets an early Death in Detroit Club By Alex Alonso for Street Gangs Magazine June 1, 2006 Post a comment Proof (Deshaun Holton), Eminem's best man from his wedding (this last one with Kim) and member of the rap group D12, was shot and killed last April 11, 2006, at approximately 4:30 a.m. at the Triple C Club on 8 Mile Road in Detroit. What transpired that night in the club was a fight that was reportedly over a billiards game that led to a conflict between Proof and Keith Bender Jr, 35. The fight that followed resulted in Proof firing the first shot after pistol-whipping Bender and knocking him to the ground. Mario Etheridge, 28, of Detroit and bouncer at the club fired four shots at Proof, including a shot to the head when he observed Proof assaulting Bender who is also is cousin. "The understanding of every witness we've spoken to is that Proof pulled out a weapon," attorney Randall Upshaw said, "and it was Proof that shot the first shot. Proof shot Keith in the face. And Keith was unarmed. Mario is not a criminal. How many criminals do you know who turn themselves in?" Both Proof and Bender were taken to St. John Hospital where Proof was announced dead on arrival. One week later, Bender died of his injuries on April 18, 2006. Proof was set to work on his third album. Etheridge turned himself in to authorities and was cleared of any wrong doing that led to the death of Proof by the county prosecutor on May 30, 2006. He will face weapons charges and could do five years in prison on a concealed weapon charge and four years on a discharging a firearm count. Proof's 2005 solo debut Proof died with a blood alcohol level of 0.32% (four times the level considered drunk under Michigan law) and became belligerent during a game of pool. The man he argued with stopped to speak to him on his way out and Proof then argued with Bender and later returned with a gun, pistol-whipped Bender and shot him in the face. Proof leaves behind his wife Sharonda, sons DeShaun Rice and Elija Abel and daughter Katieva Walker. This unfortunate double murder was a result of a series of bad decisions being made by Proof and anyone who attempted to communicate with him during those early morning hours. Proof is the ultimate person responsible for what occurred that morning, but others could have played a preventative role to where two people could possibly still be alive. Serious lessons can be learned from this incident and there are several dos and don'ts you should follow if you find yourself in a night club conflict with a drunk patron: When entering the night club environment, be aware of your surroundings and most importantly observe who is consuming the most alcohol. Very important to stay away from that person and that part of the club. If Proof's alcohol content was not 0.32, he may not have been compelled to attack Bender. Don't ever try to rationalize with a heavy drinker or talk your way out of an argument with that person in a night club environment. You will loose that argument every time and set yourself up for a long night and possible feud. Bender should have never said a word to Proof. Of course I am not going to blame an unarmed Bender for getting shot by Proof, but at 35 years, you need to have better judgment of how to deal with and communicate with a guy like Proof early in the morning in a Detroit spot. This type of conflict is more common with those from 18 - 23, not with men in their 30s. Although most clubs check for weapons at the door, always assume that there are armed club goers on the premises. Either on their person or in their cars. If you can read people's body language and demeanor, you will be able to determine who might be possibly armed and avoid them. Learn to walk away from confrontations that include heavy drinking and weapons. How many times do we need to see that this mix can be deadly? Although Proof acted irrational by using a weapon to settle his differences with another man over a game of billiards, Bender could have walked away from the situation. Bender's words with Proof, a person already under the influence of alcohol, caused Proof to react violently. It is unfortunate that Etheridge had to kill Proof, but by the time he intervened, Proof had already dealt Bender the injuries that would end his life. I hope that serious lesson could be learned from this situation, but unfortunately, not many in the hip hop community are discussing this tragic event in its proper context. Many reports in this shooting would leave the observer believing that Proof was some how innocently victimize by random violence at a club during the early morning hours. The truth is that Proof caused his own death, something that he rapped about in the songs Loyalty and 40 Ounce from the D-12 World album. "...for life as D12, no ice and spreewells, Every night that I chill in, I fight by free-will Knowing I can be killed, Leaving my group, pieces of proof with a reason to shoot And a license to kill We lost Bugz and i'll be damed if we lose another man from our clan Without forcing our hand..." "...I was raised by drunks so I became a drunk 80 Proof on this vodka, that's the name I want I'm in the club to beef, you gotta murder me there Only talk to a bitch - wit burgundy hair On the isle in the Vet, bumpin Seven Duece! See that top on that 40, you know it's comin loose See me on the ave daily, be running this shit If your chick get loud I'll G Money that bitch Packing mags and clips, I'll smash ya clique Because of Proof, they put the G in the alphabet Smoking weed, drinking Henny, Remy and that Jimmy Don't worry if you run out, the corner store got plenty!" The saying goes, if you talk about death enough, it will come knocking on your door. 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