U.S. Marshals announce in a press conference that Shundale Barnett has been charged with being an after-the-fact accessory to the deadly shooting that ended the rapper's life.
- Jan 13, 2022
AceShowbiz - Authorities have given an update on the investigation into the murder of Young Dolph. After two suspects were arrested, a third man believed to be involved in the fatal shooting of the rapper has also been charged.
During a press conference on Wednesday, January 12, U.S. Marshal Tyreece Miller said that Shundale Barnett has been charged with being an after-the-fact accessory to first-degree murder. He is also facing charges for criminal attempt to commit first-degree murder and theft of property between $10,000 and $60,000.
The 27-year-old was a passenger in a car pulled over at a truck stop just outside Terre Haute, Indiana on Tuesday afternoon, January 11. Justin Johnson, another suspect in the case, was behind the wheel and was taken into custody without a fight.
Authorities believe Shundale provided assistance to Justin. "Shundale Barnett is a person who, we believe, was providing assistance to Justin since we've been looking for him," said the U.S. Marshal. Shundale is currently being held on a state warrant in Indiana pending extradition to Shelby County, Tennessee.
Justin, meanwhile, has been charged with first-degree murder and violation of federal supervised release out of the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Tennessee. He reportedly waived everything to be extradited to Memphis immediately.
The second suspect, Cornelius Smith, was arrested on December 9 in Southaven, about 210 miles northeast of Memphis, on an auto-theft warrant involving the white Mercedes Benz used in Dolph's shooting. He had been in custody in the DeSoto County Jail, but was extradited and transferred to the Shelby County Jail on Tuesday.
Cornelius was indicted on first-degree murder charges as well as additional counts of attempted first-degree murder, convicted felon in possession of a firearm, employment of a firearm in the commission of a dangerous felony, and theft of property over $10,000. During the shooting, Dolph's brother was present with him and was considered the victim of the attempted murder charge.
Tyreece said they received more than 500 tips about the whereabouts of the suspects since they offered a $15,000 reward for any information leading to the arrest.
