What we now know about Young Dolph’s death
Adolph Thornton Jr., also known as Young Dolph, was shot and killed in 2021 at Makeda’s Cookies on Airways Boulevard. His sister Carlisa Thornton urged the public to remember who he was and not focus on those involved in his death. (Courtesy MSCS)
After three years of questions, speculation and internet sleuthing into the death of Young Dolph, evidence offered in court suggests the Memphis rapper was the victim of a contract killing connected to a rival record label.
Adolph Thornton Jr., also known as Young Dolph, was shot and killed in 2021 at Makeda’s Cookies on Airways Boulevard.
Justin Johnson, one of two men accused in Thornton’s slaying, was found guilty of first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit first-degree murder and being a convicted felon in possession of a handgun Thursday, Sept. 26.
Johnson’s four-day trial, which included three days of witness testimony, came with shocking revelations about Thornton’s death. According to prosecutor Paul Hagerman and Cornelius Smith, the second shooter accused of killing Thornton, the brother of another prominent Memphis rapper, Yo Gotti, was behind the contract on Thornton’s life.
Topics
Justin Johnson Young Dolph Subscriber Only Hernandez Govan Jemarcus Johnson 2025 award winnersThank you for reading The Daily Memphian. Your support is critical.
Did you know we are a 501(c)3 nonprofit news organization? We rely on a mix of revenue from subscriptions (50%), advertising, events and other earned income (25%) and fundraising (25%).
Please consider making a fully tax-deductible donation or other contribution to The Daily Memphian today.
👉🏽 Your subscription pays for you to read all our journalism.
👉🏽 Your donation powers the work we do to reach everyone else with the news.
We believe an informed Memphis is a better Memphis. If you agree, join our growing list of donors now.
Aarron Fleming
Once an intern, he never left, joining the staff full-time in 2022 as an education reporter. He moved to public safety in 2023, where he covered some of the city’s biggest court cases, including the criminal trials for those charged in the deaths of Tyré Nichols and rapper Young Dolph. He also chronicled the Shelby County Jail and the deaths that have occurred at the facility.
He now provides suburban coverage, focusing on DeSoto County and the surrounding municipalities.
Public Safety on demand
Sign up to receive Public Safety stories as they’re published.
Enter your e-mail address
Comments
Want to comment on our stories? If you’re a subscriber, scroll down to the comments. If you’re not a subscriber, only paid subscribers can add their thoughts, so subscribe now. Our commenting policy can be viewed here.