Suspect in shooting charged with weapons violations

Detroit – 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 will be arraigned today in 36th District Court in Detroit. He has been held by police since he surrendered Wednesday afternoon; his attorney has said the shooting was in self-defense and Etheridge should not be charged.

Cosby talks about parenting

Cincinnati – Bill Cosby’s first appearance here in five years wasn’t for telling jokes, but to implore parents to be involved in all aspects of their children’s lives.

“If you’re not doing that, then you should be ashamed of yourself,” Cosby said Thursday as the moderator for discussions on parenting, education and social responsibility at Xavier University.

The 68-year-old comedian’s appearance was part of the nationwide tour “A Call out With Cosby.”

Speaking to a crowd of about 1,200, Cosby said parents should have a network of people who can help look after kids who might be headed for trouble.

Cosby was making his first visit since he canceled two shows following race riots in 2001, when an unarmed black man was shot and killed by a white police officer trying to make an arrest.

Seminars study baby-to-be

New York – Tom Cruise has taken the impending birth of his first child with fiancee Katie Holmes to another level.

“We’ve been doing seminars with the family just to educate them,” the 43-year-old star of the upcoming “Mission: Impossible III” film tells GQ magazine in its May issue, on newsstands April 25.

“Running seminars so we can understand what Kate’s going through, and for Kate to understand it. Things like how to take care of a pregnant woman and get ready for the birth.

“It’s just kind of becoming a fun game of learning. We’ve also been studying what happens after the birth and how to take care of the baby.”

Cruise says his children, 11-year-old Connor and 13-year-old Isabella – from his marriage to Nicole Kidman – will help take care of the baby.

“The kids will have different responsibilities and run in shifts. They’re going to help on every level,” he tells the magazine.