A warrant has been issued for the man suspected of murdering southern rap star Young Dolph, per the Memphis Commercial Appeal. Dolph was killed on November 17 in his hometown of Memphis while stopping at a local bakery to pick up pastries for his mother.
The suspect is 23-year-old Justin Johnson, who has been added to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation’s Most Wanted list. In addition to the first-degree murder charge, Johnson will also face attempted first-degree murder and theft of property charges, as well. According to TMZ, Johnson is also a rapper under the stage name Straight Drop. He apparently shot a music video after Dolph’s death at the same home where detectives found the getaway car from the fatal shooting.
Dolph’s aunt, Rita Myers, spoke to Rolling Stone after the news was announced. “There’s not any closure for us with this news, because [Johnson] is not in custody, and we still don’t have all the facts,” she said. “We still feel the same. This news just made me feel worse. I thought it would make me feel better, but it didn’t. All I know is, anyone who could walk up and take the life of another person for no reason is someone with hate in their heart, a person who has no regard for life, a person who cares about nothing.”
Since Dolph’s death, there has been an outpouring of support from the rap community. Gucci Mane released “Long Live Dolph,” an emotional tribute track, in late December. Dolph’s cousin and protege, Key Glock, got a tattoo portrait of his mentor on his arm. In lieu of his planned set at Rolling Loud California, Glock, O.T. Genasis, and several other Dolph affiliates performed some of his most beloved records in his honor.
Blac Youngsta, a Memphis rapper who had issues with Dolph, was roundly criticized after releasing a music video that showed him standing in a cemetery next to a tombstone engraved with Dolph’s surname, Thornton.
On Christmas Eve, Dolph’s partner Mia Jaye shared an emotional Instagram post talking about the lasting impact of his passing and its impact on their family. “This Christmas, my heart is left with a huge hole. It’s by God’s grace that my children are so full of compassion and love that they try their hardest to fill the hole in my heart. My family and support system is there, but when one special person(s) are missing, the hole remains pierced wide open,” she wrote.
Dolph’s family members operate the Ida Mae Family Foundation, which assists with a wide range of programs in Memphis including financial literacy lessons, clothing drives for women and children who’ve survived domestic abuse, and college prep courses for students. Donations can be made here.