Young Dolph, born Adolph Robert Thornton Jr., was killed in his hometown of Memphis, Tennessee, while making a stop to grab cookies from a local Black-owned business.
Law enforcement has confirmed that the 36-year-old “Juicy” rapper was shot and killed while inside Makeda’s Homemade Butter Cookies shop, a business he frequented whenever he was in the city. According to the store’s owner, Maurice Hill, Young Dolph came in to purchase cookies when someone “drove up and then shot and killed him around 1 p.m.” He was reportedly pronounced dead at the scene.
Young Dolph’s camouflage Corvette was spotted in the parking lot by news vans and several onlookers, however, police would not confirm any details until his family had been notified. Further details related to the motive and potential suspects are still unfolding.
The rapper has been the target of prior shootings. In September 2017, he was shot several times in California, and in February of the same year, his SUV was fired at more than 100 times while he visited Charlotte, North Carolina.
Online tributes have already begun pouring in from public figures and celebrities, including Memphis Mayor Jim Strickland, Gucci Mane, Keke Palmer, Quavo, Megan Thee Stallion, Chance The Rapper and more.
State Rep. London Lamar has called for a city-wide curfew to be enforced Wednesday night over concerns of retaliatory violence, tweeting “I’m making the suggestion to @CityOfMemphis @MEM_Council to implement a citywide curfew tonight!!”
Young Dolph visited Makeda’s Cookies just last week and can be seen promoting the business in videos online.
In addition to being a respected artist, Young Dolph was also father to two children, Tre and Aria, with long-time partner Mia Jaye, and well-known for giving back to his Memphis community. On Monday, he and rapper Key Glock, who has deleted his social media accounts in light of the tragic news, made appearances at the West Cancer Center near Memphis to give away 200 turkeys for Thanksgiving.
More Stories from Our Related Partners:
