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Proof Shooting Suspect Arraigned

Mario Etheridge, 28, who turned himself into police on Wednesday (April 12) as a suspect in the shooting of D-12 rapper, Proof, was arraigned Saturday (April 15) on two weapons charges. He was not charged with murder.

Etheridge was instead arraigned on charges of carrying a concealed weapon and discharging a firearm in an occupied building, according to the Associated Press. As Etheridge remained in jail on Saturday in lieu of a $70,000 bond, Etheridge’s lawyer entered not guilty pleas on both charges on behalf of his client and maintains that the shooting was in self-defense.

Witnesses told the Detroit police that Etheridge shot Proof at the CCC Club after the rapper shot and wounded Keith Bender, who is also Etheridge’s cousin. Investigators determined that Proof fired the first bullet after pistol-whipping Bender.

A preliminary hearing has been set for April 26. If he is convicted, Etheridge faces a maximum of five years in prison on the concealed weapon charge and four on the charge of discharging a firearm.

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