The man who shot D12 star rapper Proof, is claiming self defense, but will still face weapons charges.
The bouncer, Mario Ethridge, allegedly shot Deshaun “Proof” Holton while acting in what his lawyer, Randall Upshaw called “lawful” defense of his cousin, Keith Bender Jr., whom Proof shot himself.
Etheridge and his lawyer are due in court this week to face weapons charges stemming from the early hour April 11 shooting in Detroit’s 8-mile district at the C.C.C nightclub.
The relatives of Keith Bender Jr., who later succumbed to his injuries, maintain that Holton had shot him after an argument had taken place and Etheridge returned fire in defense of his relative, Bender.
AD LOADING...
The argument apparently took place over a game of pool, Holton allegedly pistol-whipped Bender and then shot him because of an argument over a pool game.
As Holton stood over Bender, his cousin, bouncer Etheridge shot Holton three times, in the head and chest. He was taken to St. John Health’s Conner Creek Campus to be treated for his injuries at 4:30 a.m. and was pronounced dead on arrival.
Etheridge, if convicted of weapons charges alone, could face up to nine years, five for carrying a concealed weapons and four for discharging a firearm. Holton left behind his wife and his 2 sons and 3 daughters. After Bender passed, his family sought legal advice to sue the rappers’ estate. No word yet from the D12 camp or the artists’ estate.
