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Athletes mourn the shooting death of Memphis rapper Young Dolph

Jason Owens
·Staff writer
·4-min read
ATLANTA, GEORGIA - OCTOBER 9: Rapper Young Dolph backstage during day 1 of 2021 ONE Musicfest at Centennial Olympic Park on October 9, 2021 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Prince Williams/Wireimage)
Young Dolph died in Memphis on Wednesday at 36 years old. (Photo by Prince Williams/Wireimage)

The sports world is mourning the loss of rapper Young Dolph, who was shot and killed at a Memphis bakery on Wednesday. He was 36 years old.

The Memphis-based rapper born Adolph Robert Thornton, Jr. had strong ties to the city and referenced it in the title of his 2016 studio debut "King of Memphis."

According to Fox13, which first reported confirmation of his death citing law enforcement officials, Dolph walked inside Makeda’s Homemade Butter Cookies in South Memphis to buy cookies Wednesday afternoon. The store's owner Maurice Hill told the news station that his employees told him that someone approached the store in a car, got out and shot Dolph while he was inside.

Memphis police confirmed on their Twitter account that a male victim died after a shooting at the scene and that there was no information available on a suspect.

Memphis Mayor Jim Strickland later released a statement confirming Dolph's death.

“The tragic shooting death of rap artist Young Dolph serves as another reminder of the pain that violent crime brings with it,” Strickland's statement reads. “My thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends.”

Dolph was reportedly a regular at the bakery. Fox13's Dakarai Turner posted video of the rapper buying cookies and showing support for the business last week.

Sports world mourns Young Dolph

Dolph's music is popular in the sports community, and athletes across U.S. sports leagues paid tribute to the late rapper who reportedly leaves behind his girlfriend Mia Jaye, a daughter and a son.