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Man Proof allegedly shot dies
With D12 rapper's funeral set for tomorrow, man he reportedly fought with and shot ends weeklong fight for his life.
The man who police said was pistol whipped and shot a week ago by D12 rapper Proof died this morning.
Keith Bender Jr., 35, died at St. John Hospital and Medical Center, a hospital spokeswoman said today.
Bender had been in critical condition since being shot in the head a week ago at the CCC nightclub on Eight Mile Road in Detroit.
According to police, Bender and the longtime Eminem sideman got into an argument over a pool game at a nightclub last Tuesday that escalated into a gunfight, with Proof allegedly pistol whipping and shooting Bender in the head before another man, Mario Etheridge--a cousin of Bender's--fired three shots at Proof, killing him.
Etheridge, 28, has pleaded not guilty to charges of carrying a concealed weapon and illegal discharge of a firearm in a building. His lawyer, Randall Upshaw, said the shooting was in self-defense.
Police said today that prosecutors will move to close the CCC club today, as the place has been raided several times by police in recent years and was open illegally after hours at the time of the fatal shooting of Proof.
A viewing of Proof--real name was DeShaun Holton--is set for Tuesday. The rapper was a close friend of Eminem's and the best man at Eminem's second wedding to his now-estranged wife Kim Mathers in January. His funeral is Wednesday.
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