Man Who Killed Proof Acted In Lawful Defense, Authorities Say
Mario Etheridge, accused of killing the rapper Proof in an April fight at an after-hours Detroit club, has been spared further jail time because he was acting in lawful defense of another man, authorities say.
Etheridge was sentenced on Thursday to time served for carrying a concealed weapon and a $2,000 fine for discharging a firearm inside a building.
The 28-year-old spent several days in jail at the time of the accident when he turned himself in to police and before he posted bond.
Authorities say Etheridge shot and killed Proof after the rapper fatally shot Etheridge’s cousin, Keith Bender. The dispute reportedly stemmed from a game of pool.
Prosecuters say that Etheridge had fired warning shots into the ceiling in an effort to stop Proof before shooting the rapper himself. Prosecutors say Etheridge acted lawfully in defense of Bender.
Proof was a member of the Eminem-fronted rap group D12.