Keith Bender, who police now believe was shot by D12 rapper Proof at the CCC club in Detroit last week, died early yesterday morning, according to a hospital spokesman. Bender, 35, was previously reported to be in a critical condition after being shot in the head during the fracas that broke out at the 8 Mile Road night spot early in the morning of 11 Apr involving Proof, aka Deshaun Holton, Bender, and Bender's cousin Mario Etheridge, who, as previously reported, has been charged with concealed weapon and discharging a firearm in a building.
Detroit police have now said that witnesses confirm that Proof opened fire on Bender during a dispute that broke out inside the after hours club, and Etheridge subsequently shot and killed Holton. Etheridge has pleaded not guilty to the charges brought against him, and his lawyer Randall Upshaw has implied that his client acted in self defence. After paying $7,000 bail he was released from the Wayne County Jail on Sunday afternoon.
Meanwhile, Proof's funeral will take place today, following a day of mourning in Detroit. The hip hop star's body was put on public view for a period of twelve hours yesterday to allow family, friends and fans to pay their respects.