A source exclusive to SOHH.com has revealed that the argument that resulted in the death of D12 member Proof was initiated by the other victim in the shootout over a "King of Detroit" argument.
As SOHH previously reported, Proof and Keith Bender got into a heated exchange at Triple C's nightclub early Tuesday morning (April 11) which lead to Proof pistol-whipping and shooting Bender. Proof was then gunned down by Bender's cousin as he stood over Bender.
"[Bender] started an argument with Proof, knowing who he was," the source told SOHH. "Proof told him he didn't want to hear any bullshit and that he was 'King of Detroit' and stuck his hands in [Bender's] face.
"The guy then pulled out his gun and then Proof pulled his out and shot -- hitting the guy," the source added. "The guy's cousin who is a bouncer at the club then shot Proof. They grabbed up the gun from the guy Proof shot and fled."
According to the Wayne County Medical Examiner's Office, Proof was shot three times in the head and the chest. He was pronounced dead on arrival at St. John Conner Creek Village in Detroit. Bender is currently in St. Johns Hospital and Medical Center in critical condition.
On Wednesday afternoon (April 12), Mario Etheridge, a 28 year-old bouncer at the Triple C's nightclub, turned himself in to Detroit Police accompanied by his attorney Randall Upshaw. Upon arrest, he revealed he was Bender's cousin.
Etheridge is still in custody and authorities are continuing to investigate whether he should face charges in the shooting, which Detroit Police said, might have been in self-defense. But SOHH.com sources say Etheridge surrendered out of self-preservation.
"The guy turned himself in out of fear he was going to get got at by Proof's people," said the source. "Proof frequented the place and there is of course no way the bouncer or anyone else in the club didn't know who he was,"
Proof's untimely death continues to overwhelm his fans and peers in the music industry.