How Authorities ‘Mistakenly’ Released Shundale Barnett; Suspected Killer of Young Dolph

Shundale Barnett, one of the suspects linked to the murder of rapper Young Dolph mistakenly released from jail.

Recently, a report published by Memphis’ News Channel 3, his current whereabouts are still unknown. 

According to Indiana authorities, Shelby County authorities instructed to release Barnett so and  extracted to Memphis by the U.S. Marshals Service. On January 21th, Barnett accidentally released and sought by local law enforcement.

The Death of Young Dolph

Adolph Robert Thornton Jr, or Young Dolph, shot and killed on Wednesday, Nov.17 while visiting a cookie shop in South Memphis. 

According to the testimony of Maurice Hill, the owner of the cookie shop, the rapper had gone to the store, Makeda’s Homemade Butter Cookies, to buy some baked goods.

As Young was still inside the store, a stolen Mercedes-Benz pulled up outside the store and a person opened fire inside the store, shooting and killing the rapper. Dolph was 36 years old.

Through the Memphis Police Dept Twitter account, Chief CJ Davis published an updates regard the shooting.

“The preliminary information indicates that the victim is Adolph Robert Thornton Jr. However, this information will be confirmed once the identification process has been completed.” 

Indeed, the man who had died was Young Dolph.

Memphis Mayor Jim Strickland mourned the rapper’s death during a press conference. Strickland also used this time to calling attention to the consequences of crime and violence.

“The tragic shooting death of rap artist Young Dolph serves as another reminder of the pain that violent crime brings with it.”

The Culprits 

On January 19, authorities released an official indictment against two men charged with Young Dolph’s murder. Justin Johnson, 23, and 32-year-old Cornelius Smith.

According to the users, both Smith and Johnson were members of Yo Gotti’s gang. This case handled by the Crime Strategies and Narcotics Prosecution Unit (CSNPU).

Johnson and Smith indicted on first-degree premeditates murder, attempted first-degree murder, employment of firearms, and theft of a property over $10,000.

Two days later, a third suspect arrested. Shundale Barnett, 27, was arrested in Indiana and changed as an after-the-fact accessory to Dolph’s murder, criminal attempt to commit first-degree murder and theft of property, according to Fox 13 Memphis.

Justin Johnson had a criminal background since he was a minor. At age 17, accused of raping a woman at a hotel. At the age of 19, charged with felony placed on a violent juvenile sex offender registry. In January 2017, Johnson is sentenced 5 years for charges in triple shooting.

Cornelius Smith was arrested after being accused on an auto-theft warrant. According to Weirich’s office, the Mercedes the

(Left to right) Cornelius Smith, Shundale Barnett, and Justin Johnson. Courtesy of FOX 13 News.

culprits used was stoles in a carjacking on November 10 at a gas station. Smith transferred from DeSoto County Jail to Shelby County Jail on January 11.

Johnson and Smith pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder as well as other felony charges. Both remain in prison.

Fan Love is Forever

Young Dolph’s death was devastating to all of his fans and even other stars in the Hip Hop community. Young Dolph admired for his good music and talent. He also liked helping people thought charitable works.

In Action News 5, Maurice and Pamela Hill broke the silence in an interview where they expressed their pain.

“We would like to send our condolences and our deepest sympathy to the Thornton family, Young Dolph’s beautiful wife, and his two beautiful children,” Maurice Hill said.

Pamela Hill, Makeda’s Cookies family member interviewed with ABC News and talked about Dolph and his great love for their cookies.

(Left)Pamela and Maurice Hill are the owners of Makeda’s Homemade Butter Cookies. Courtesy of Action News 5.

“He loved chocolate chip cookies and ice cream was his favorite thing that he got every time.”

Other celebrities like Gucci Mane, Key Glock, Megan Thee Stallion, and many others also honored the rapper’s memory.

Written by Darian Mozo