Proof, of Rap Group D12, Shot to Death

http://www.comcast.net/ ^ | 4 11 06 | TOM KRISHER

[freepatriot32]

DETROIT - Proof, a member of rap group D12 and a close friend of Eminem, was shot to death early Tuesday at a nightclub along Eight Mile, the road made famous by the 2002 film that starred Eminem and in which Proof had a bit part.

The death of Proof _ real name Deshaun Holton _ was confirmed by Dennis Dennehy, the publicist for D12's label, Interscope Records, as well as by Detroit police spokesman James Tate.

"Memorial service arrangements are still being made, and his friends and family would appreciate privacy during this difficult time," Dennehy said in a statement.

Eminem and Proof, 32, seldom were seen in public without each other. Proof was the best man at Eminem's wedding in January, and they have been close friends since before Eminem became a superstar.

The music video for the Eminem song "Like Toy Soldiers" shows Eminem pacing a hospital hallway as doctors try to revive Proof, who has been shot. Later, Eminem attends Proof's funeral as the song's lyrics lament the escalation in violence between rappers.

It was Proof's idea to form D12, a six-member Detroit-based rap group that counts Eminem among its members.

D12 has been around since the mid-1990s, when the members met at Detroit's Hip-Hop Shop, a clothing store by day/hip-hop club by night.

Proof's family members gathered at a home on Detroit's northwest side after hearing the news of his death. The residential street in front of the two-story home was lined with vehicles, and people hugged each other on the sidewalk.

Proof was shot inside a small bar in a strip of businesses along Eight Mile, which is the dividing line between Detroit and its northern suburbs. Tate said two people were shot in the head _ one fatally. He said an argument at the C.C.C. nightclub escalated into gunshots.

The other victim _ a 35-year-old man _ was listed in critical condition, Tate said.

Wende Berry, a spokeswoman for St. John Health System, said Holton was dead on arrival at St. John Conner Creek, an outpatient treatment facility. Berry confirmed that he had a gunshot wound.

Police said shots were fired inside the bar around 4:30 a.m. By the time officers arrived, both of the injured men had been taken from the bar in private vehicles, Tate said.

Evidence technicians and detectives remained inside the bar Tuesday morning. A spot of blood was on the street in front of the tavern, and police marked shell casings in a parking lot across the street.

Patrol officers said the bar is a frequent source of problems on the city's east side. Tate said police have taken 18 incident reports there since 1996. The latest was a vice raid in December in which six tickets were issued, most involving minors possessing or drinking alcohol.

The bar, he said, was legal, but was operating outside of its licensed hours.

Another member of Eminem's inner circle _ rapper Obie Trice _ was shot while driving on a Detroit-area highway in December.

___

Associated Press Writer David Runk in Detroit contributed to this report.

[FoxInSocks]

Patrol officers said the bar is a frequent source of problems on the city's east side. Tate said police have taken 18 incident reports there since 1996.

I guess, if you think once every six months is "frequent."

[rodeocowboy]

I have been across this nation, east-west and north-south, and I have never seen a dirtier town than Detroit. You know how most towns have a bad side? Detroit has a good side (right downtown).

[rodeocowboy]

My twin, a member here (NC KERR) is a staff sergeant in the army on recruiting duty in Michigan. He knows one of the victims, who just got a medical retirement from the US Army while he was on recruiting duty. I think the victim's name is Sergeant Spencer, I think, as my memory with names suck.

Anyways, NC Kerr's friend and colleague, was at that bar celebrating his doctor's release of him from being on a defibillator (Sgt. Spencer had a heart attack, thus causing his medical retirement). Sgt. Spencer was an avid pool-player, so he was most likely playing pool when a fight broke out. According to some information from those close to Sgt. Spencer, "Proof" of D12 pulled out a gun and pistol whipped Sgt. Spencer, then shot him in the face. At that time, somebody with Sgt. Spencer pulled out a gun and shot "Proof" in the body twice, and once in the head, thereby killing that cucarocha.

Now, remember that this is just speculation and one-sided information from the family of a hero, Sgt. Spencer. But, the news reports from the area seem to collaborate this story.