The Memphis Police Department said it obtained video surveillance showing two suspects getting out of a white two-door Mercedes Benz armed with firearms and approaching the rapper as he was inside a cookie shop on Wednesday. The suspects, whose faces were partially covered, shot Young Dolph several times before fleeing the scene.
“This shooting is another example of the senseless gun violence we are experiencing locally and nationwide. Our hearts go out to the Thornton family and all who are affected by this horrific act of violence,” Memphis Police Chief Cerelyn “CJ” Davis said.
Young Dolph was a native of Chicago who grew up in Memphis. He released his debut album, “King of Memphis” in 2016, and he’s also known for “Rich Slave,” which dropped in 2020 and rose to No. 5 on the Billboard 200 chart.
He had several hits in his career, including “Blue Diamonds,” and “RNB” featuring Megan Thee Stallion.
In 2017, he was nearly killed in a shooting incident in Hollywood. He spent weeks hospitalized after sustaining three gunshot wounds.
He added that he wasn’t “a person that lives in fear.”