In November of 2021, Memphis rapper Young Dolph was shot and killed outside of a bakery in his hometown. Today, the severity of the attack was confirmed as the artist’s autopsy was released.
Dolph, born Adolph Robert Thornton Jr., was shot in his forehead, temple, face, right back, centre back, left back, right arm, left arm, left chest, left abdomen, right chin, right neck, right wrist and right shoulder. The finding comes courtesy of the West Tennessee Regional Forensic Center, who confirmed that the musician was shot 22 times in total.
Back in February, two suspects in the shooting pleaded not guilty to charges of first-degree murder. Justin Johnson, 23, and Cornelius Smith, 32, entered their pleas through defence lawyers in Shelby County Criminal Court in Tennessee.
Another individual, Shundale Barnett, has a warrant out for his arrest and is currently wanted for his involvement in the murder. Two additional men, Devin Burns and Joshua Taylor, have been named as persons of interest in the murder of the late rapper.
A makeshift public memorial had sprung up in the city following Thornton’s death, but one of the caretakers of the memorial, Jeremiah Taylor, was shot and killed back in February. It is currently unknown if the two shootings are connected.
Thornton had previously been shot outside a store in Hollywood, California in September of 2017. Despite being listed in critical condition and spending two weeks in the hospital, Thornton survived. The rapper was heavily involved in philanthropy around his hometown, supporting charitable causes and donating funds back to his high school before his passing.
