R.I.P Proof a.k.a DeShaun Holton

"They say the good die young........"

DeShaun Holton (October 2, 1975 – April 11, 2006)

On April 11, 2006, Proof suffered a fatal gunshot wound to the head at approximately 4:30am EDT (08:30 UTC) following an argument at the CCC Club — where Proof had begun his career years earlier — on 8 Mile Road in Detroit, Michigan. He was then taken by private vehicle to St. John Conner Creek, an outpatient treatment site, and was pronounced dead on arrival shortly thereafter. According to reports, Holton died instantly. Another man, Kevin McLaughlin, who was shot along with Proof, is in critical condition at the same hospital.

Police have no suspects in the shooting, but McLaughlin's family members claim that Proof was the one who shot him before being shot himself.

On April 12, 2006, Mario Etheridge, 28, of Detroit was taken police custody after turning himself in. Mario was a bouncer at the C.C.C. Club where Proof was shot. "Police said he is a cousin of Keith Bender Jr., the bouncer who was allegedly shot by Proof during the fight." The fight that started inside the club is reported to be over a pool game. The argument was taken outside where "A shot was fired in the air, Proof allegedly pistol-whipped Bender, knocked him to the ground and then shot him. Etheridge then allegedly open fire on the rapper, striking him four times in the head and chest. " Etheridge is a cousin of Keith Bender Jr., the bouncer who was allegedly shot by Proof during the fight."

Official police reports state that Proof fired the first bullet at Keith Bender, 35, another person at the club, hitting him in the head and leaving him in critical condition. Following Proof's death, rapper Snoop Dogg called on fellow musicians to unite, describing the incident as "a loss to the hip-hop community".

Proof was known as Eminem's longtime right hand man. Known for his freestyle ability, the Detroit emcee also served as Slim's hype man during concerts.

Proof's untimely death has overwhelmed his friends, fans, his peers in the music industry and Detroit residents who loved his friendly demeanor.

"I've seen him everywhere," said Kimani Journery, a local promoter who along with other fans had gathered out of the Triple C club to pay respect. "He was just real. He was no problem starter. He was just love."

"He never made it seem like he was better than anybody else" added Linette Knight, a close of friend of Proof's. "He stayed humble, he never forget where he came from. It feels like somebody just punched a hole in the atmosphere and just left it there. There is a giant void here. It hit me hard just because I knew him before he got to where he was. It's a loss...a big loss."

Proof is survived by wife Sharonda, sons DeShaun Rice and Elija Abel, and daughter Katieva Walker.