07 Jan Police Issues Warrant For Man Accused Of Killing Young Dolph, Photos Of Suspected Killer & Late Rapper Together Surface

Almost two months after rapper Young Dolph was murdered, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigations have issued an arrest warrant for a 23-year-old Tennessee man – named Justin Johnson. He has been hit with a first-degree murder charge in connection with the fatal shooting of Young Dolph.

Also, pictures of Dolph and the suspect together have surfaced. Details inside…

Nearly two months after rapper Young Dolph was murdered in his hometown of Memphis, police now have a suspect.

A first-degree murder charge has been issued for 23-year-old Justin Johnson in connection with Dolph’s murder on November 17th, according to the US Marshals Service.

#TNMostWanted: We need your help to find Justin Johnson, wanted by @MEM_PoliceDept and TBI for 1st Degree Murder, Criminal Attempt-1st Degree Murder, & Theft of Property $10,000-$60,000.

He should be considered armed & dangerous.

Seen him? Call 901-378-3132 or 1-800-TBI-FIND pic.twitter.com/38OkN4zWko

— Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (@TBInvestigation) January 5, 2022

The 36-year-old rapper (real name Adolph Robert Thornton, Jr.) was gunned down in broad daylight while paying a visit to his favorite hometown bakery, Makeda’s Cookies.  The Tennessee Bureau of Investigations first posted the fugitive on January 5th. They are still searching to find him as of today (Jan. 7th):

On this #FugitiveFriday, we continue to search for #TNMostWanted fugitive Justin Johnson. He’s wanted out of Memphis on several charges, including First Degree Murder.

Have info? Call 1-800-TBI-FIND or @MEM_PoliceDept at 901-378-3132. pic.twitter.com/EXwzO6HE61

— Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (@TBInvestigation) January 7, 2022

The Memphis Police Department, US Marshals Service, Crime Stoppers and the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation are offering a reward of up to $15,000 for information leading to Justin’s arrest. The suspect is described as being 5 feet, 8 inches tall, weighs 190 pounds and has the name “Jaiya,” tattooed on his right arm.

“Johnson has ties to organized criminal gangs and should be considered armed and dangerous,” the U.S. Marshals Service said in a news release. He has been added to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation’s “Most Wanted” list.

Making matters worse, it appears the suspect may have had ties with the “Preach” rapper.

Trust nobody when you shining Rip @YoungDolph pic.twitter.com/GCzwExMPIo

— Jay Wavey (@JayWaveyy) January 6, 2022

After police released the photo of the alleged killer, photos of a man resembling Justin Johnson with Dolph started circulating, indicating they may have known one another. Word on the curb is that Justin Johnson goes by the rap moniker Straight Dropp. He’s seen standing behind the “On God” rapper in a throwback photo (seen above).

In another photo, the suspected killer is seen wearing a PRE pendant – PRE is an acronym for Dolph’s label, Paper Route Empire. He wore it in his music video for his song “Stepped On.”

Memphis rapper “Straight Dropp” who’s on the run for the killing of Young Dolph took pictures with a PRE chain pic.twitter.com/lv33s12vUk

— Xtraa Mediaa (@xtraamediaa) January 6, 2022

Below are IG posts from Straight Dropp’s alleged IG:

All of the comments on the IG posts are turned off. It’s unclear what his affiliation with Young Dolph was.

According to TMZ, Straight Dropp released a music video titled “Going Straight In” that appears to have been filmed in front of the home where the getaway car used in Dolph’s murder was found.

TMZ reports:

Shortly after Dolph was killed, detectives tracked down the getaway car — a white Mercedes — to a Memphis-area home. You can see very clearly, Johnson uses the same home as the backdrop to his “Going Straight In” music video.

Shockingly enough — Dolph was murdered November 17, which means that the music video was actually posted to YouTube AFTER he was gunned down.

The “100 Shots” rapper leaves behind two children and his longtime partner, Mia Jaye. A private funeral was held for Young Dolph on November 30th. On December 15th, a section of a street in the neighborhood where he grew up was renamed for him and the next day a second memorial celebration was held at the FedEx Forum. 

A second celebration is being held for late rapper #YoungDolph in his hometown of Memphis at the FedEx Forum. https://t.co/8nbbLM3r1A pic.twitter.com/V27N4hoZ5m

— YBF CHIC (@TheYBF) December 13, 2021

We hope they catch the suspect and whoever else was involved in this senseless act of violence.

Photo: Dolph’s IG 

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