Less than two months after the death of Young Dolph, Cornelius Smith, and Justin Johnson, two suspects who police believe shot and killed the Memphis rapper have been apprehended.
Both men are charged with first-degree murder and theft ranging from $10,000 to $60,000.
Smith is also charged with attempted first-degree murder, illegally carrying or possessing a weapon, and using a firearm with the plan to commit a felony.
The arrests come nearly a week after police named Johnson as a suspect in the death of Dolph, who was shot and killed outside Makeda’s Homemade Butter Cookies, a local Memphis bakery, on Nov. 17.
Cornelius Smith & Justin Johnson Mugshot Exposed
On Nov. 17, young Dolph, whose real name was Adolph Thornton Jr., was gunned down in a daylight ambush at a popular cookie shop.
Cornelius Smith, 32, was indicted by a grand jury on first-degree murder and other charges in the shooting that killed Young Dolph, according to the Shelby County, Tennessee, District Attorney’s Office.
?#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
Smith was being held without bond after being arrested last month on an auto-theft warrant involving the vehicle used in Young Dolph’s murder.
Separately, the US Marshals Service announced the arrest of Justin Johnson, 23, after a murder warrant was issued for him earlier this month. The agency did not specify where Johnson was discovered in Indiana.
Cornelius Smith & Justin Johnson Arrest & Charges Details
After identifying Justin Johnson, 23, as a suspect last week and offering a reward of up to $15,000 for information leading to his capture on the first-degree murder warrant, U.S. Marshals announced his capture Tuesday in Indiana.
Shortly after Johnson’s arrest, the Shelby County District Attorney announced that a second man, Cornelius Smith, had been indicted in Dolph’s murder.
The victim in the attempted murder charge, according to the D.A., was Young Dolph’s brother, who was with the rapper at the time of the shooting.
Are Cornelius Smith & Justin Johnson in Jail?
Justin Johnson and Cornelius Smith are both in custody and have been charged with the murder of 36-year-old Adolph Thornton Jr., also known as Young Dolph, on November 17, 2021.
Dolph was fatally shot in a popular cookie shop in south Memphis.
BREAKING:
Both Young Dolph accused gunmen are in custody.
Justin “Straight Drop” Johnson and Cornelius Smith (the gunman wearing the Bass Pro Hat.) pic.twitter.com/HVdxWQE1X2— Jeremy Pierre FOX13 (@JeremypierreFOX) January 11, 2022
According to the D.A., Smith was arrested in Southaven, Mississippi, on December 9, 2021, on an auto-theft warrant involving the white Mercedes Benz vehicle used in Dolph’s murder.
Mercedes was kidnapped on Nov. 10, 2021, at a gas station in the 2800 block of Kirby Road, according to the D.A. On November 20, it was discovered abandoned behind a home in the 1100 block of Bradley in Orange Mound.