Family of Victim in Proof Shooting Incident Pleads for Peace

The brother of Keith Bender, the man Detroit rapper Proof allegedly shot before being killed, has made a plea for peace following the violent incident. “If you’re out there thinking of retaliation or any other violent thing of that nature, don’t,” Bender’s younger brother, Kyle Bender, told the Detroit Free Press. “It’s over with. It’s done. Let’s move on…We would like for his memory not to be associated with violence.” Keith Bender was allegedly shot by Proof at the CCC Nightclub on April 11, after which Bender’s cousin, Mario Etheridge, shot and killed Proof in an apparent case of self-defense. Bender remained on life support for days, but he finally succumbed in a hospital a week after the shooting. In court today (April 26) Etheridge faces numerous gun charges, but he has not been charged with Proof’s murder.

Yesterday during a news conference, Rev. Horace Sheffield of Detroit’s New Galilee Church made a plea while standing with members of Bender’s family. “Rappers, the community and others upset by this should cease from encouraging retaliation against someone who was protecting and defending his family,” Sheffield said. “There have been some allegations of things that folks have said to encourage retribution. Someone has to stand up and say: ‘I’m going to be a peacemaker, as opposed to a retaliation bringer.’” Bender’s funeral will take place tomorrow (April 27) at the New Galilee Church.