New Details Emerge Surrounding Proof of D12’s Death

 •  XXL Magazine  •  by XXL Staff  •  86 Comments

Proof2.jpgThe Detroit News has reported new details surrounding D12 member Proof’s shooting death, which took place early Tuesday morning inside Detroit’s CCC Club. Police have confirmed that the other man who was shot was Keith Bender, an Army veteran and medic in Detroit, and that the shooting resulted from an altercation between Proof and Bender. Proof reportedly shot Bender first, and was then shot by an unidentified third suspect. Relatives of Bender, who is now in critical condition, have said that he was at the club celebrating, not working as a bouncer as some accounts have implied.

  • jizzle

    RIP Proof just another good niggga that had to go out the way of the street ya did ya thang Rip Proof fuck who ever shot him

  • brittney

    R.I.P PROOF

  • brittney

    Bender is the other man shot the night of PROOF`S DEATH 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. well i hate to say this but PROOF is aonther fallen rapper and he should be happy that his brother is still alvie and PROOF seemed like a really nice guy so if PROOF did dshot him frist than he must have gotten Proof really mad cuz he does not seem like he would shot someone for no reason R.I.P PROOF

  • PIMPH8ER71

    when will it end thats why the “establishment” does not respect hip hop at all RIP PROOF

  • Talent da profit

    YO NIGGAZ FIGHT THE WRONG PEOPLE….WE NEED TO PRESERVE BLACKS AND GET THE MUTHAFUCKAZ WHO HAVE HATED US IN AMERICA FOR THE LAST 500 YEARS…PERIOD…..PROOF MAKE EMINEM HELP OUT YOU COMMUNITY FROM THE SPIRITUAL REALM FAM…100

  • jojochicago

    A victim of the streets and what the streets can do to a black man is rough! i don’t wanna believe he would shoot first without no one having his back. it don’t sound right. but if it is the case………….

  • Yung Munie

    shit is reall fucked now, this the type of shit that make people not want to take the game to another level because they don’t know if they gone get popped out here. I know that man ain’t shoot witout reasonable doubt. I just hope is family and his friends are doing well cuz this is a major blow to the game. R.I.P. Proof A.K.A. Proof McVay

  • WarShadow

    IT’S time for Shady/Aftermath to proof they really have nuts and kill this mothafucka

  • http://www.xxlmag.com Dipesh

    yo r.i.p. proof, d12 keep ya head up.

  • http://www.artfv.com/performing_arts/dance/ Texas

    R.I.P PROOF AND D12 STAY UP

  • byrd

    when men live bye the pen die bye the gun. The fun really comes at a high price, to bad this brother lost his life in the stll of the night so hear’s the PROOF oy soliders that can be taken bye the light on any given night…..

  • byrd

    when men live bye the pen die bye the gun. The fun really comes at a high price, to bad this brother lost his life in the stll of the night so hear’s the PROOF we are all TOY SOLIDERS that can be taken bye the light on any given night…..

  • Warrior

    R.I.P Proof…. You made Eminem legit in the Detroit underground, inturn he helped turn you national. I just hope Eminem keeps you’re legacy alive now.

    When you rich, you leave the ghetto, cuz that’s part of being on the come up, and getting out. It’s like Puffy can’t take transit, cuz people like me would rob him NAKED! So I’ll always wonder what kept Proof going back to the ghetto? cuz in the end this is what happens, you’re own streets kill yah cuz yah rich and can’t no body be happy for yah…that’s how it is!

    Spice 1 “Welcome to the Ghetto”

  • http://www.myspace.com/dpgcalerts LADYGC419

    That pussy turned himself in because he KNEW that he was going to die in these streets. Rest In Peace Proof, he’ll get his!

  • big JAY

    I just wanted to say rip to proof. I have argued with my peers millions of times that he was the best in the group. I’m from the 313 and i have been pass the club and there is a poster outside where you can sign your name. If you come to the D please show your respect. Big JAy… local rapper…

  • bluebluntz

    WTF!!!! why can’t the decent rappers stay alive?!? Pac,BIG,Pun,Big L… c’mon cuz!! He wuz the 1 to look for in D12(what up D12)& now nigguz’ll never know what he coulda became! so tilt ya bottle over one time for the homie. Proof: RIP

  • young caesar

    R.I.P PROOF

    WE GOIN TA MISS YA

  • young caesar

    D12 AINT GOIN TA B THA SAME

  • snuff

    rest in peace proof…we’ve got plenty of love for you down under here in australia…rest in peace proof

  • snuff

    condolences to proof’s family,friends and D12…don’t do anything stupid, that muthafucka will get what he deserves…rest in peace proof

  • http://xxlmag.com E-man (South c)

    R.I.P proof “a coward dies a thousand deaths but a soldier dies once” you had to do what ya had to do you were a G so you had to die by the G.Fuck everything though ill miss ya Vocals rhyms and all the entertaining shit ya you did.GoodBye Nigga PROOF R.I.P

  • http://www.ananzi.co.za PHONY YAYO

    YO MAN IF PROOF SHOT DAT GUY 1ST..DEN MAN FUCK,HE DUN FUCKED UP…Y ARE RAPPERS CONSTANTLY TRYIN TO BE HARD? FUCK,MOTHAFUCKAS NID LOCK DEM SELVES IN DER CRIBS LIKE FIFTY..DAMN WHY DON DINT THEY EVER LEARN…GGGGGG-THEY R NOT!

  • XxLocaxX

    dis shyt is crazy

  • http://www.ananzi.co.za PHONY YAYO

    BUT REGARDLESS…WAT HAPPENED TO PROOF IS SAD…RIP…GGGGG-UNOT

  • http://yahoo.com Mr.oklas

    r.i.p proof we goin miss you homie

  • http://goingoutnyc.com Ceo Robert McCoy

    im gonna miss him!! i hope em gets over it well! cause i know if that was my dog ill be filping right now!! (he was a cool cat) R.I.P PROOF

  • Rammy

    Proof was more than just another rapper he was a Detroit icon and we will all miss. To the rest of D-12 just keep ya head up. R.I.P PROOF

  • dcsmashin

    rip proof, to all friends and family the sun will shine again.

  • naz

    R.I.P proof……..well i really was obbssed with emniem…….so then after i heard this devistating news i fell very dsad and upset.We will miss u proof! well even though u ain’t here….yu still be remmbered in our hearts. Proof you wer a great funny man……..u were in one of Eminem’s song “Just LOse IT”

  • naz

    RIP PROOF!!!! WE LOVE U! u will be rembered in oyur hearts!

  • http://WWW.MYSPACE.COM/IMENZ IMENZ

    PLEASE COME BACK PROOF!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    WHY MUST EVERY GREAT VOCALIST DIE.

  • Makavelli

    do’t get me wrong when I say this but, we have totally forgot about the fact that he shot this man first, it almost seems that just because he was famous he was right. if the shoe was on the other foot and the man died and proof lived he would be a murderer. all this live by the gun die by the gun shit is lame, to me it just seems nobody want to take an ass whipping these days, but instead take a life. who said them (WILLIE LYNCH) days are over. this is modern day genocyde, nothing more nothing less.

  • B. WEBB

    RIP PROOF. g-g-gunot, if you didn’t already know.

  • SOUTHSIDE1

    R.I.P. PROOF U WILL B MISSED

  • http://xxl T Smooth

    The one thing that rappers need to understand is that they are not GOD and therfore can not do or be everything, they need to learn to respect theirselves and others, because this was senseless. We as black people need to come together as a race and stop being enemies, life is to short and no one is guaranteed tomorrow the sooner everybody realizes that the better off our race would be. I am sorry for the loss of Proof, and my heart goes out to all of his family and friends, but in the end all of this black on black crime needs to stop.

  • http://xxlmag.com detroit thug

    proof rest in peace my homie count love folk killa sureno187 surkilla crip killa blood killa cash flowkilla muertos luv

  • Pop

    It don’t matter who shot first. Proof didn’t need G’s to back him up, he had his own back. Obviously, if there was beef, Proof settled it. If Keith Bender didn’t have back-up, Proof wouldn’t have died. If he shot first, who cares? I’m pretty sure Keith was a lovable guest who just bumped into Proof, and while he was apologizing Proof shot his a$$. Keith was probably runnin’ his mouth (Royce Da 5’9″ lol) and Proof beat him down, took out his gun and blasted on his ass. Whose to say Keith wasn’t reaching for a peice? Or the other bouncers? Kill or be killed…

  • the Renegade

    Deshaun Holton aka Proof aka Dirty Harry R.I.P

  • HIS TRUMPET

    YOUNG PEOPLE, WHEN WILL YOU WAKE UP AND REALIZE THIS IS THE DEVILS PLAN TO KILL YOU? THE POWER OF LIFE AND DEATH IS IN THE TONGUE. ALMOST ALL THE RAPPERS WHO HAVE DIED BY THE GUN EITHER GLORIFIED KILLING, OR BRAGGED ABOUT BEING KILLED. (PAC, BIGGIE, BIG L,NOW PROOF) YOU CANNOT RAP ABOUT DEATH AND VIOLENCE AND THINK THAT IT WILL NOT CATCH UP TO YOU. PERIOD.

  • http://www.uwc.ac.za vido

    life ain’t got no mercy 4 good dogs but remember cats will also follow da same way. bro rip
    crazy love 4 ya Proof

  • Mr Ejay

    MONEY POWER RESPECT? How nuch Money can u spend in the dirt? How much power can u demand from a grave? How much respect can u receive if you arent here. RIP Proof. He was “REAL” now hes really gone. God Bless all who suffered loss in this tragedy. WAKE UP!!!

  • http://www.xxlmag.com missy LM

    i want to say sorry d12 for your loss and who ever shot him should be a shame of them self!

  • http://gina_sexc_biatchyahoo.com neysa & kiera

    well we just wanna say rip proof we loved you and won’t forget you your always going to be in our heart. we can’t believe someone would actually put a bullet in him and take him away. it’s not fair.

  • http://gina_sexc_biatchyahoo.com gina-maye

    proof rocked my world i loved him and hate whoever killed him and to makavelli shame on you i did get you wrong. proof was a loveable guy who deserves to live. i am upset so imagine how his crew will feel just hang in there d12 especially eminem (his best friend)

  • http://gina_sexc_biatchyahoo.com neysa & kiera

    we wanna say we love you proof you are never forgotton in our hearts. proof never deserved to die. hang in there to his crew d12 and all his other close friends and family. rip proof. who ever shot proof should be ashamed cause that is some fucked up shit.

  • FACE

    NICCAZ YA DONT KNOW IT WAS SUPREME THAT GOT THATY NNIICCA MURKED SON WERD ON THE STREET EVERY ONE GOING DOWN

  • Victoria

    I am so saddened by the death of another young Black Man…Proof was a true poet and now his continued message and growth has been forever silenced…stop all the HATE!
    V

  • http://gina_sexc_biatchyahoo.com wendy

    i never have met proof but i still loved him.proof was everything to me so i am always goin to be thinking about him for the rest of my life. why did he have to get shot and die that way. no one deserves to get their life taken away. R.I.P proof. i love you.

  • amanda

    R.I.P Proof. Em stay strong

  • http://www.xxlmag.com/?p=1062 ADAMSKY

    ONCE AGAIN THEY HAVE POPPED ANOTHER TALENT. PROOF MAN WE RESPECT THE AND WILL ALWAYS REMEMBER YOUR UNMISTAKABLE WORKS ALONGSIDE MARSHAL MATHERS. YOU SHOWED THESE NIGAZ HOW TO MAKE IT BIG AND STILL BE DOWN TO EARTH. R.I.P.

  • JiNY

    Rest in peace, Roof, i always kno’ u had something special… Whatever that would happen after the dead is still unknown, but all i can say is rest in peace, but ur music will still live on! Kärlek och Respekt åt Hip Hop Världen och Fuck dom Som Trakkar ner På De…

  • http://d12 rakoonloko

    rest in paradise proof i liked your style another sad year in hip hop you know and fuck whoever shot you homie yur music will live on……..

  • BaNg_BaNg

    R.I.P proof u was good rapper.. i wanna kill the nigga who shoot you down heared this from what i heard, proof was at a club and someone shot at him. So he pulled out his gun that he kept for protection. He shot at the gunman a few times and missed. Then the gunman shot at proof and hit him in the head

  • Lost_bullet

    damm this a a tragedy, one of my fav emcee’s. d12 keep ya head up like tupac said. RIP proof we will all miss you.

  • kingsley

    yu are indeed a great raper am going to miss u alot and am ging to miss your voice one love men R.I.P big proof 4ever

  • pimpmastervince

    R.I.P Proof do well where ever u r

  • Nelly

    R.I.P PROOF WE’LL ALL REMEMBER U AS A BRAVE SOLDIER

  • realest kid

    kill Bender em
    kill etheridge
    kill em all
    Proof shoudlnt have died over stupid fuckin shit like this
    u better watch your back Bender and you unidentified bitch as motherfuckin pussy
    DIE MOTHERFUCKER!

  • Rana

    Its so sureal how his death was already depicted in Like toy soldiers.

  • DETROIT RAPPER M80

    YO IM FROM DA STREETZ OF DA EASTSIDE OF DETROIT DA SAME AS EM AND ALL OF D12 WAZ RAISED ON INCLUDING BUGZ! ALL IM SAYING IS IVE SEEN DA GUY WHO KILLED PROOF! HES BIG,DARK SKINNED WIT BRAIDZ. IM LIKE Y DA BOUCER COULDNT HAVE SHOT PROOF ANYWHERE ESLE 2 MAKE HIM DROP DAT GUN! LIKE IN HIS LEG,THIGH,ASS! WATEVA! PROOF MIGHT HAVE BEEN IN DA HOSPITAL 4 A FEW WEEKZ BUT PROOF WOULDNT BE DEAD RIGHT NOW! HE WANTED PROOF DEAD!CUZ PROOF WAZ TOURING ALL OF OVER THE WORLD, POPPING CRISTAIL! 500$ A BOTTLE! AND FAT ASS BOUCER WAZ MAD CUZ HE WAZ STUCK IN DETROIT BOUCEING A NIGHT CLUB,DAT WASNT EVEN RUNNING LEGALY! WORD GET AROUND DEZ DETROIT STREETZ PROOF 4 EVA!

  • http://yahoo LADY T

    I heard they were cousins is this true

  • Steve

    Yes the army vet and the man that died in the hospital were cousins. I was so sad to hear about what happend. I have all his cds Promatic-I miss the hip hop shop-Hand 2 Hand-Grown man sh*t-Searching for jerry garcia. He was my 3rd favorite rapper. He had the Best friend anyone could ever ask for. Eminem qoute-”Im doing drive bys in tinted corvettes on vietnam war vets.” “Proof qoute-F*ck this world b*tch lets get it over with.” RIP Proof aka Dirty Hairy

  • Dawn M

    OUT OF SIGHT BUT NOT OUT OF MIND.
    REST IN PEACE PROOF XX

  • the truth

    If he shot first, then what can be said? You people who are glorifying this and taking Proof’s side without knowing the facts are blind sheep, the type of cats Proof would probably despise. You can’t hide from the truth, the truth is all there really is. No disrespect to his life or work, but if someone shot my cousin in the face over a game of pool, I would blast without thinking. Wake up people and learn how to think for yourselves. Life is not a g-unit track.

  • suicide squad

    R.I.P PROOF FUCK ALL U HATERS

  • http://xxlmag.com Mac-Intine

    proof aka dirty harry.wtaever u wana call him,he was a legend in his own right,1 of da gr8st rappers spittin shit real.he was a victim of black on black violence and no mater hu pulld 1st,his death was unnecessary and a waste of flourishing talent. REST IN PEACE,and our condolences 2 his family, aftermath and all hu knew him personally.mac- South Africa

  • Steve C

    What a load of shit.. ok he died. Its always a loss when someone dies, but he pulled the trigger and got shot? So there all in the fucking wrong! N whats with all this lets stop the black on black violence? and turn to what?? white on black violence?? fuking pricks! why not just stop the gun crime altogether, stupid bitch ass racist black dicks!

  • bleek

    Man this is really crazy!! i couldnt believe. RIP proof! The game is gonna miss your talents! KIll the fuck that shot him! Condolences to D12, his family and the rest and shady records! South africa mourns your death!

  • Unknown, NZ

    R.I.P. another rapper dead. his words reached many, touched more. they say the good die young – PEACE.

  • ja

    you ganna live by the gun you gunna die by the gun

    R.I.P 2pac
    R.I.P BUGZ
    R.I.P PROOF

  • me

    I think a lot of y’all forgot who shot who first… what goes around comes around!

    r.i.p. anyway

  • Shady_Soldier

    We Miss You PROOF R.I.P.
    Someone In Anywhere Gonna Avenge His Death. FUCK DA PUSSY HATERS

  • John

    Proof was always my FAVOURITE bsides eminem PROOF WAS THE BEST
    Eminem
    Proof
    Kon Artis
    Swift
    Kuniva
    Bizarre
    my fav in order
    my wall was covered with Proof, bought his cds hav a proof shirt, even almost cried when i heard he died

  • alyxnyc

    You people are really ignant. Proof shot someone over a pool game and got shot himself. He was an idiot. Rest in Pieces. Proof is no hero. He was stupid.

  • SUSPICOUSE

    yeah fuk dat fool he aint leave no shoes 2 fill like pac or biggie and he neva wuld of if he neva got shot so i aint gona miss him and neither should you

  • Dru

    Rest In Peace Proof

    Much luv fa ya down hea n da Port (Savannah Ga).

  • Whodat?!

    People screamin’ on Proof like he was the savior of hip hop. HE SHOT SOMEONE….then he got his in retaliation. If anything, he got what he asked for by not using his head and analyzing his actions. Oh wait, he did use his head….as a bullet stopper.

  • Saza

    R.I.P Proof. D12 will neva b da same wit out u. Keep ur head high D12 and just no dat hes in a beta place. R.I.P Proof luv ya 4eva

  • DannytheChamp

    R.I.P Proof, respect out from the UK for when the music stops!! D12 stay up!

  • catherine

    R.I.P

  • BOb

    RIP PROOF…U Alwayz Gonna Be Missed…D12 Keep Ya Headz Up Still

  • solo130

    fu ck the ni gga who shot him?!?!?!?!are u serious!!! man fu ck yall dumb as s ni ggas u mean to tell me if jayz popped yo damn brother infront of yo face u would smile like”damn thats fu cked up,but hey wat can i do thats jay-z”.u ho e as s ni ggas u cant be as big of a fan to c that shyt well if u was a fan u kno yo mans was wronge so u should not have a comment about the situation if u kno bout how both of them died shut the fu ck up and just say rest peace quit saying fu ck his shooter cus proofs family aint the only one hurting he started it u bytch as s ni ggas!!!!!!!!!

  • http://proof ali

    my god bless you and your family Big Proof you are one of the greatest ever you will always live on because you have so many people who will make you live on just by thanking of you and talking about you please find your peace with god. and see you on the other side in glory. love u

  • sweety

    hey im very sorry for your lose so i giving you my love and heart R.I.P.

  • katie clary

    IM VERY SORRY DOR YOUR LOSE PROOF THE WAY IT IS THESSE DAYS IT RUF A PEOPLE ON THE STEERTS R.I.P.

  • http://XXLMAG.COM katie clary

    IM VERY SORRY FOR YOUR LOSE IM GIVEING MY LOVE AND HEART LUV YOUR FAN KATIE R.I.P NO ONE DESERVS TO DIE WITH NO RIGHT PS YOU WILL BE REMBERED IN MY HEART PROOF WE WILL MISS YA YALL KEEP YOOUR HEADS UP CAUES HE IN A BETTER HOME NOW AND HE GOT YALL BACKS! R.I.P R.I.P.