Weapons Charge In Eminem Friend Death

A man was charged Friday with weapons violations in a shooting earlier this week that took the life of hip-hop artist Proof, a close friend of Eminem.

Mario Etheridge, 28, of Detroit, was charged Friday with carrying a concealed weapon and discharge of a firearm in a building, according to the Wayne County prosecutor's office.

"Our investigation in this case is far from over," Prosecutor Kym Worthy said in a statement.

Assistant prosecutor Maria Miller said that without the weapons charges, authorities would have had to release Etheridge from custody. But she would not comment when asked if more charges are possible.

"Our investigation into the death of Proof continues. There can't be any conclusions about anything until that investigation is completed," she said.

Etheridge has been held by police since he surrendered Wednesday afternoon. His attorney said he has done nothing wrong and should not be charged.

Detroit police said they were told by witnesses in the case that Etheridge shot Proof early Tuesday after Proof shot Army veteran Keith Bender, 35, inside the CCC, a nightclub in a strip of businesses along Eight Mile Road.

The thoroughfare, which divides Detroit and its northern suburbs, was made famous in the 2002 film named for the road and which starred Eminem.

Bender remained in critical condition Friday with a gunshot wound to the head.

Proof's funeral will be held on Wednesday, said Khalid el-Hakim, vice president of Iron Fist Records, Proof's record label.

Etheridge's attorney, Randall P. Upshaw, said that, based on witnesses he has questioned, his client was playing pool with Proof and got into an argument. Proof, he said, shoved and hit Bender and then pulled a handgun, "pistol whipped" Bender and then shot him in the temple.

Then, said Upshaw, "As Proof stood over him with the weapon, someone came to Mr. Bender's aid and someone shot Proof," Upshaw said.

Most witnesses told investigators that a fight broke out between Bender and Proof, and that Proof struck Bender with a handgun before shooting him once in the head, said Detroit police spokesman James Tate.

Investigators believe the shootings took place around 4:30 a.m. as the club was operating after its licensed hours.

A message was left Friday for Proof's lawyer, David J. Gorosh, who previously has said that the police investigation will clear the rapper's name.

At a news conference attended by performers and employees of Iron Fist Records, el-Hakim said the rapper was not known to carry a gun or have a temper.

"He wouldn't get angry over a pool game," el-Hakim said.

Eminem issued a statement Friday saying that Proof, 32, was his best friend and helped make him a star.

"He pushed me to become who I am. Without Proof's guidance and encouragement there would have been a Marshall Mathers, but probably not an Eminem and certainly never a Slim Shady," the statement said. "Not a day will go by without his spirit and influence around us all. He will be missed as a friend, father and both the heart and ambassador of Detroit hip-hop.

"He inspired everyone around him. He can never, ever be replaced. He was, and always will be, my best friend," the statement said.

Proof was a member of the rap group D12 and was the best man at Eminem's January wedding.

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