Young Dolph

Earlier this week, The Tennessee Bureau Of Investigation (TBI), U.S. Marshals, and the Memphis Police Department identified a suspect in Young Dolph’s murder, which took place back in November. The agencies identified Justin Johnson as the person responsible for Dolph’s death and put out an arrest warrant. They seek to charge him with first-degree murder, criminal attempt of first-degree murder, and theft of property between $10,000 and $60,000. Officials offered $15,000 for information leading to his arrest, but that money won’t be given out as Johnson announced that he will turn himself in in a couple of days.

“Turning myself in Monday @201,” Johnson, aka Memphis rapper Straight Drop, wrote in a post to the Instagram account @straightdroppp. “I’m innocent. I’ll be back sooner than you can blink.” Johnson also shared a video of local news coverage about his arrest warrant on his Instagram page. “Next time post the REAL,” he wrote. “BS ass Blogs.”

After officials identified Justin Johnson as a suspect in Dolph’s murder, fans of the late rapper found multiple pictures of Johnson standing beside Dolph. In some cases, Johnson could be seen wearing a chain that read “PRE” — the acronym for Dolph’s Paper Route Empire label. Despite having the chain, Johnson was never listed as an artist on Paper Route Empire.

Here’s a terrifying crime statistic: Over half of murder victims know their killer. That horrible fact apparently holds true when it comes to famous entertainers as well; consider that Nipsey Hussle was apparently on speaking terms with the man who allegedly shot him to death in front of this own store in 2019. It also appears to be true of the more recently deceased Young Dolph, who was killed in Memphis in front of a bakery by two men who opened fire from the parking lot.

Now that police have revealed a suspect in the murder, eagle-eyed Young Dolph fans have spotted him in multiple photos of the late rapper, often standing just beside him and in some cases wearing a chain reading “PRE” — the acronym for Dolph’s label, Paper Route Empire — around his waist. The suspect, 23-year-old Justin Johnson, is apparently also a rapper going by the name Straight Dropp; however, he was not listed as a Paper Route artist at the time of Dolph’s death.

The Memphis Police Department issued a warrant for Johnson’s arrest yesterday, while the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation has offered a $2,500 reward for information leading to his capture. A total reward of $15,000 has been offered by the MPD, TBI, and US Marshals, who have issued a second warrant for violation of federal supervised release due to a weapons charge. Johnson is wanted for First Degree Murder, Criminal Attempt-First Degree Murder, and Theft of Property $10,000-$60,000.

A month and a half ago Young Dolph was tragically shot and killed outside of Makeda’s Cookies in his hometown of Memphis. Now there’s an update in his murder investigation. The Tennessee Bureau Of Investigation (TBI), U.S. Marshals, and the Memphis Police Department have announced that a suspect in the shooting has been identified and a warrant for his arrest has been issued. “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,” TBI wrote in a tweet on Wednesday. “He should be considered armed and dangerous. See him? Call 901-378-3132 or 1-800-TBI-FIND.”

TBI described Johnson as 5’8″ and 190 pounds with black hair and brown eyes. He also has a tattoo that reads “Jaiya” on his right arm. According to Fox13 Memphis, a reward of $15,000 is being offered by law enforcement agencies. Johnson has reportedly been able to evade investigators since the shooting. He’s also been added to the TBI’s “Most Wanted” list and law enforcement officials say he has ties to criminal activity.

The news comes a month after a street was renamed in honor of Young Dolph in the rapper’s native neighborhood of Castelia Heights.