Third Young Dolph Murder Suspect Arrested & Charged

Memphis, TN – A third suspect in the murder of Young Dolph has been arrested. During a press conference on Wednesday (January 12), U.S Marshal Tyreece Miller revealed 27-year-old Shundale Barnett has been charged with being an after-the-fact accessory to first-degree murder.

“It’s a big deal,” Miller said. “We’re proud of the work  that everybody you see standing up here has done and even some that you don’t see. There are a lot of unseen heroes that participated in the case … I think we are the best of the best. We get results and today’s announcement demonstrates that.”

Miller went on to say after law enforcement agencies offered a $15,000 reward for any information leading to an arrest, they received over 500 tips. It took U.S. Marshals to Indianapolis, Dallas, Houston, Atlanta and Hampton, Virginia.

The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, Memphis Police Department and the U.S. Marshals put many tireless hours into capturing their primary suspect, 23-year-old Justin Johnson, who was taken into custody on Tuesday (January 11) after finally being tracked down in Indiana. Another suspect, Cornelius Smith, was also apprehended and booked into Shelby County Jail. But as Miller explained, Barnett was discovered in the vehicle with Johnson, likely well aware he was wanted for murder.

Johnson faces charges of first-degree murder and theft of property between $10,000 and $60,000. Smith was also charged with first-degree murder. Prior to the Young Dolph killing, Johnson was arrested for a triple shooting at Billy Hardwick’s All Star Lanes bowling alley in 2017. Johnson’s five-year sentence for that shooting ended after mere five months when a judge signed off on his release.

Barnett is currently being housed at Clay County Jail but will be extradited back to Shelby County Jail soon. Johnson, meanwhile, was transported to the Knox County Indiana Jail and booked on violation of federal supervised release. He will also be brought back to Shelby County.