Rapper Proof (D12) doodgeschoten

D-12 member Proof was shot and killed in Detroit, Michigan this morning (April 11) at an after hours club on Eight Mile Road.

Proof, born Deshaun Hotlon, was murdered at the Triple C club around 4:30 am and another man was seriously wounded, both with gunshots to the head.

"We cannot give out names, or any specifics because of the investigation," Sgt. Omar Feliciano told AllHipHop.com. "We are following our leads. But, one male [Proof], 32, was taken to Holy Cross hospital with a gun shot to the head. Another male, 35, was taken to Sain private transporation and he is in critical condition."

Interscope represenatives also confirmed Bizarre was not involved in the incident.

"Contrary to earlier rumors and reports, D-12 member Bizarre was not involved in the incident in Detroit last night," Interscope said. "He was at home in Atlanta, Georgia."


Earlier reports stated that Bizarre had been shot or that police were seeking to question him, after an altercation took place in the club.

One witness was being questioned by the police, who are still seeking suspects.

Proof was signed to superstar rapper Eminem's Shady Records as a member of the platinum selling group, D-12.

The group, which features members Eminem, Kon Artis, Proof, Swift , Bizarre and Kuniva, released their debut album Devil's Night in 2001. The group followed with D12 World in 2004, which produced the hit single "My Band."

Proof followed with a solo album titled Searching for Jerry Garcia in 2005, released on his own label, Iron Fist Recordings.

Proof was an influential figure on the Detroit rap scene, hosting legendary battles at the Hip Hop Shop.

In the movie 8 Mile, Mekhi Phifer was chosen to embody Proof as the character "Future," while Proof starred in the movie as "Lil Tic."

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Proof vermoord; meer details

Een ruzie in een discotheek in Detroit is aanleiding geweest voor de moord op D12 rapper Proof. Proof zou ruzie hebben gekregen met een uitsmijter. Deze ruzie liep zo uit de hand dat het geheel escaleerde in een schietpartij.

Proof werd rond half 5 's ochtends doodgeschoten en de uitsmijter, genaamd Keith Bender, raakte ernstig gewond. Volgens bronnen trokken beide heren hun wapens en was het een andere uitsmijter die uiteindelijk het fatale schot loste. Zowel Proof als de uitsmijters hadden een vergunning om wapens te dragen.

Volgens de politie zijn er beelden van de schietpartij die opgenomen zijn door de beveiligings camera's van de discotheek. Ook wordt er nog steeds gesproken met getuigen om vast te stellen wat er werkelijk gebeurde die nacht.

B-Reals comments on Proof's death

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This is from his forum:
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This goes out to my homie Proof,, may god embrace you my friend, your time on this earth with us was short but we'll never forget that lil bit of time we got to know you and spend with you.. whether it was recording in the studio or touring the world.. you were a good friend to me and i'll never foget that.. you'll be missed by those of us that considered you to be family and i can say that i was one of those people..you will never be forgotten... you were a soldier for hip hop and a talented individual the world didn't get to hear enough of .. but us who knew what you were capable of will always know in our hearts what was taken away from us last night... we love you my brother and we will light one up in your name always my friend R.I.P
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Kon Artis comments on Proof's death

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As fans of D12's Proof gathered Tuesday night outside the CCC Club along East Eight Mile Road, where they've erected a makeshift memorial, details continued to emerge about the slain rapper's final moments, the shooting's other victim and the club where the fatal incident occurred.

On a telephone pole in front of the nightspot where 32-year-old Proof (real name: DeShaun Holton) — a founding member of Eminem-fronted Detroit hip-hop collective D12 — was shot and killed at approximately 4:30 a.m. Tuesday morning, fans left stuffed animals and personal messages to one of the city's most prominent rappers (see "Proof: 'Eminem's Best Friend' And A Vital Member Of Detroit's Hip-Hop Scene"). According to The Detroit News, "RIP Proof" was scribbled in red ink at the bottom of the club's sign. The CCC Club was closed Tuesday night while police continued to comb for evidence and clues.

According to a spokesperson for the Detroit Police Department, Proof suffered a gunshot wound to the head at the club (see "D12's Proof Shot And Killed At Detroit Club"); he was pronounced dead on arrival at St. John Holy Cross Hospital. A second victim, who has been identified as 35-year-old Detroit resident Keith Bender Jr., remains in critical condition at St. John Hospital and Medical Center. He also sustained a gunshot to the head.

Police were dispatched to the scene a little after 5 a.m. The club — which was operating illegally, after hours — had been cleared out by the time they'd arrived. The club did not have a video surveillance system. Several witnesses have come forward to discuss the incident with investigators, but police had no suspects Tuesday night. According to a Detroit police spokesperson, "an altercation occurred [inside the club], and shots rang out;" police located several shell casings in a parking lot across the street from the club.

Remembering Proof
"This is a sad ending to a great career that was just getting started. He will be missed."

What do you think of Proof's life and death? You Tell Us


See the latest on Proof's tragic end in these video clips


DeShaun 'Proof' Holton: 1973-2006



The CCC Club has been a troubled spot for more than 10 years, according to police spokesman James Tate, who told the The Associated Press that officers have responded to 18 incidents there since 1996. The most recent visit by police came back in December, when members of the city's vice squad raided the bar and slapped its owners with six violations, most for serving alcohol to minors.

Several of Bender's relatives spoke with The Detroit News, claiming that Proof shot Bender, and was then shot by someone else. The paper reports that Detroit police confirmed that account, but have not provided additional details. "Some words were exchanged. He was at the wrong place at the wrong time," Bender's sister-in-law Angel Bender told the News. "We're still putting the pieces together."

Bender, relatives said, was a retired Army staff sergeant, and a veteran of Operation Desert Storm. Both he and Proof were at the CCC Club with friends, police confirmed. Authorities have not released any information on what may have led to the altercation, but believe two guns were used during the shooting.

According to ABC News affiliate WXYZ, Bender's brother, Kyle, was one of the many visitors to the CCC Club Tuesday night. "What I don't want to happen is for [Proof] to be glorified as another fallen rapper hero," he told them. "It's senseless violence that's right here in our community and we can't get rid of it."

"I just don't know how to feel right now," D12's Denaun Porter, known within the group as Kon Artis, told the Detroit Free Press. "It's crazy because we're suffering all these losses. We lost Bugz," an original member of D12 who was shot and killed in 1999 during a picnic at Detroit's Belle Isle Park. "Now we lost Proof. I just don't know, you know what I mean? We're all so messed up. Whatever happened, whoever this dude is, is still around. This is just crazy."

Memorial service arrangements have not been announced. The Associated Press reports that Proof's family and friends gathered inside a home on Detroit's Northwest side Tuesday afternoon. Proof is survived by his wife and five children.