The family of the man allegedly shot by D12 rapper Proof fears retaliation by the artist’s associates, and says they have been purposely keeping a low profile despite being eager to tell their story.
"We are absolutely terrified for our safety," said the aunt of former Army sergeant Keith Bender Jr., who was shot by Proof during an altercation at Detroit’s CCC nightclub on Eight Mile Road. "We wanted to talk to the media long ago, but we were afraid for our lives, therefore we've been keeping kind of a low profile."
The aunt, who would not give her name for safety reasons, says the family is attempting to scrape together money to pay for a funeral service scheduled for 10 a.m. Thursday (April 27) at New Galilee Baptist Church (11241 Gunston in Detroit).
The organization Peace in the Hood donated $1,000 to the family for Bender’s burial, and a Keith Bender Memorial Fund has been established at Chase Bank, the family said. Donations to the fund may be given at any Chase Bank branch.
Meanwhile, Detroit police continue to investigate the incident, which also resulted in the death of Bender’s alleged shooter, Proof. The rapper, whose real name is DeShaun Holton, was allegedly shot by Bender’s cousin, a 28-year-old bouncer for the club named Mario Etheridge. Authorities have charged Etheridge with carrying a concealed weapon and discharging a firearm inside a building. He maintains his shooting of Proof was in self defense.
Proof's friend and fellow D12 member Swift has been sentenced to 93 days in an Oakland County jail after missing a court hearing to attend his childhood friends funeral. Swift, born Ondre Moore, was arrested in a Detroit suburb and sentenced to more than three months for violating the terms of his probation in a drunk driving case.
District Court Judge Brian MacKenzie issued a warrant for Swift's arrest the same day he served as a pallbearer at Proof's funeral. According to court records, the 31-year-old Detroit rapper tested positive for alcohol, despite being court-ordered to remain free of drugs and alcohol. Swift allegedly tested positive for having alcohol in his system with blood alcohol levels reaching. 079 and .084 last week.
"We are absolutely terrified for our safety," said the aunt of former Army sergeant Keith Bender Jr., who was shot by Proof during an altercation at Detroit’s CCC nightclub on Eight Mile Road. "We wanted to talk to the media long ago, but we were afraid for our lives, therefore we've been keeping kind of a low profile."
The aunt, who would not give her name for safety reasons, says the family is attempting to scrape together money to pay for a funeral service scheduled for 10 a.m. Thursday (April 27) at New Galilee Baptist Church (11241 Gunston in Detroit).
The organization Peace in the Hood donated $1,000 to the family for Bender’s burial, and a Keith Bender Memorial Fund has been established at Chase Bank, the family said. Donations to the fund may be given at any Chase Bank branch.
Meanwhile, Detroit police continue to investigate the incident, which also resulted in the death of Bender’s alleged shooter, Proof. The rapper, whose real name is DeShaun Holton, was allegedly shot by Bender’s cousin, a 28-year-old bouncer for the club named Mario Etheridge. Authorities have charged Etheridge with carrying a concealed weapon and discharging a firearm inside a building. He maintains his shooting of Proof was in self defense.
Proof's friend and fellow D12 member Swift has been sentenced to 93 days in an Oakland County jail after missing a court hearing to attend his childhood friends funeral. Swift, born Ondre Moore, was arrested in a Detroit suburb and sentenced to more than three months for violating the terms of his probation in a drunk driving case.
District Court Judge Brian MacKenzie issued a warrant for Swift's arrest the same day he served as a pallbearer at Proof's funeral. According to court records, the 31-year-old Detroit rapper tested positive for alcohol, despite being court-ordered to remain free of drugs and alcohol. Swift allegedly tested positive for having alcohol in his system with blood alcohol levels reaching. 079 and .084 last week.
