Posted by Memphis, TN – The suspected killer of Young Dolph is still on the run, days after vowing to turn himself in. Justin Johnson, also known as 23-year-old aspiring Memphis rapper Straight Drop, was expected to surrender on Monday (January 10) but failed to materialize. Consequently, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, Memphis Police Department and U.S. Marshals are still on a nationwide manhunt for the alleged murderer.
According to Fox13 Memphis, an attorney expected to represent Johnson said he was unaware of any plan by Johnson to turn himself in. Multiple law enforcement also believe Johnson has fled the Memphis area, making his capture more difficult. Officials say Johnson is facing charges of first-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder and theft of property between $10,000 and $60,000.
Johnson first surfaced on social media last week and laid out his plans to surrender. He simultaneously proclaimed his innocence.
“Turning Myself In Monday @ 201,” he wrote on Instagram. “I’m Innocent. I’ll Be Back Sooner Than You Can Blink.” He also suggested the media had misinformed the public about his criminal history in another Instagram post with, “Next time post the REAL .. BS blogs.”
View this post on Instagram
Young Dolph was fatally shot last November while picking up baked goods for his mother at Makeda’s Homemade Cookies. The Paper Route Empire CEO was in town for the annual turkey giveaway ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday. Shortly after the shooting, the suspect’s alleged getaway car was discovered at a house in the Orange Mound neighborhood of Memphis.
Days after its discovery, another man was shot and killed near the same house. Adding more layers to the story, Johnson shot a music video for a single called “Going Straight In” outside of the residence, which was posted on YouTube after Dolph was murdered. Johnson was also photographed next to Young Dolph at some point and was seen rocking a Paper Route Empire chain, making it clear they had crossed paths before.
Young Dolph’s Murder Suspect Filmed Music Video Where Police Found Getaway Car
In other Dolph news, Paper Route Empire announced a new compilation mixtape dedicated to Dolph called Paper Route Empire Presents: Long Live Dolph. The project will feature songs from artists on the PRE roster such as Key Glock, Jay Fizzle, Snupe Bandz, Big Moochie Grape, Kenny Muney and more. It’s expected to arrive on January 21.