Site of Proof Shooting Shut Down

By Josh Grossberg Thu May 11, 9:11 PM ET

The Detroit bar where D12 rapper Proof was fatally gunned down last month has closed its doors.

Wayne County prosecutors confirmed Thursday that owners of the C.C.C. nightclub have agreed to shutter the establishment for a year and pay fines to the city for operating illegally after hours.

The settlement was reached after District Attorney Kym Worthy filed a nuisance complaint against the venue seeking its closure for a series of violations, from staying open after its official closing time to numerous instances of underage drinking, armed robbery and even shootings, which reached a climax with the deaths of the hip-hopster and another man stemming from a heated dispute.

"Our goal in closing after hours clubs is to prevent other senseless gun deaths from occurring in Wayne County and to ensure a decent quality of life for citizens who live near these clubs," District Attorney Kym Worthy said.

The agreement was formally announced at a court hearing Thursday attended by both parties, according to prosecutor's spokeswoman Maria Miller. Under the terms of the deal, the nuisance law provides that the bar will stay padlocked at least one year and the owners will pay $600 in fines to the Wayne County Prosecutor's Office. Hearings are also pending with the state's Liquor Control Commission to determine whether to revoke their liquor license.

The increased scrutiny of C.C.C. nightclub, situated along Eight Mile, the road made famous in Eminem's semi-autobiographical film 8 Mile, came following the Apr. 11 fight between the 32-year-old Proof (real name Deshaun Holton) and 35-year-old Keith Bender over a pool game. Police say the rap star pistol-whipped and then shot Bender, an Army veteran, in the face. Proof was in turn shot moments later by the bar's bouncer Mario Ethertidge, who's also Bender's cousin.

Proof was pronounced dead on arrival at a nearby hospital, while Bender was hospitalized in critical condition and died several days later from his injuries.

Etheridge gave himself up to police but declared his innocence, claiming he shot the entertainer in self defense. He was subsequently arraigned on felony gun violations for carrying a concealed weapon and discharging a firearm in a building, charges that could land him up to five years in prison. He has not been charged with murder or manslaughter counts.

In the meantime, Bender's family has filed a wrongful-death lawsuit against Proof's estate.