MEMPHIS, Tenn. — A shooting in Memphis claimed the life Wednesday of rapper Young Dolph, WHBQ-TV reported, citing unidentified law enforcement sources.
The shooting happened around 1 p.m. at Makeda’s Butter Cookies, a bakery in South Memphis, according to WHBQ. The shop’s owner, Maurice Hill, told the news station that Young Dolph, whose real name is Adolph Robert Thornton Jr., went into the store to buy cookies when someone drove up, shot and killed him.
Update 5:37 p.m. EST Nov. 17: Memphis Mayor Jim Strickland pleaded for calm in the wake of rapper Young Dolph’s shooting death Wednesday.
“To honor all victims of violent crime, I ask for calm in our city to allow the Memphis Police Department to do their duty to capture those responsible, Strickland tweeted.
Stickland also added that the rapper’s death “serves as another reminder of the pain that violent crime brings with it.”
To honor all victims of violent crime, I ask for calm in our city to allow the Memphis Police Department to do their duty to capture those responsible.
— Mayor Jim Strickland (@MayorMemphis) November 17, 2021
I’d also like to ask that motorists continue to avoid the area of Airways and I-240.
Update 4:44 p.m. EST Nov. 17: In a statement, the Agency for the Performing Arts, a talent agency that represented Young Dolph, said it is “shocked and deeply saddened” by the rapper’s death.
“All of us at APA are shocked and deeply saddened by the sudden and tragic loss of our dear friend and client, Young Dolph,” an APA representative said in a statement to Variety. “The world has lost an icon, a great man and beloved artist who has been taken too soon. His dedication, drive, hard work and loyalty to all those around him always came first and he will be deeply missed. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family at this most difficult time. "
On the scene of a shooting on Airways. I’m hearing Memphis rapper Young Dolph may be a victim in the shooting. Shooting happened at Makeda’s Cookies. pic.twitter.com/Dw1nTcKV3C
— Jeremy Pierre FOX13 (@JeremypierreFOX) November 17, 2021
Original report: Young Dolph, 36, released his debut album “King of Memphis” in 2016. His second album, “Rich Slave” was released in 2020 and peaked at No. 4 on the Billboard 200 chart. He was well known around the Memphis area, where he handed out turkeys for Thanksgiving through the Memphis Athletic Ministries charity, spoke to schoolchildren and donated money to his former high school, WHBQ reported.
>> Related: Who was Young Dolph, rapper shot and killed in Memphis?
Crowds gathered at the scene of the shooting on Wednesday afternoon, with some people laying on the ground in tears, according to the news station. Authorities told WHBQ that one other person was with Young Dolph at the time of the shooting.
Authorities did not immediately release information about the shooter, WHBQ reported.
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