Young Dolph Murder: Major Update About Suspects in Rapper’s Death

The alleged mastermind behind the shooting death of Memphis rapper Young Dolph will return to court next week.

Hernandez Govan, 44, is due back in court for a hearing on October 9. He is charged with murder in the 100 Shots singer’s death which happened in broad daylight at a strip mall cookie shop in November 2021.

Govan was released on a $90,000 bail on May 11, 2023, after the murder charge.

Then in an unrelated incident in June, Govan was charged with stalking, repeatedly following, harassing, or making threats, driving with a suspended license, and having an improperly mounted license tag in Memphis. He was released one day later on a $2,250 bond.

Life Sentence For Young Dolph Shooter

Last month, Justin Johnson, one of two suspected shooters in Young Dolph’s death, was sentenced to life in prison on a first-degree murder charge. He will be sentenced on conspiracy to commit first-degree murder, and being a convicted felon in possession of a handgun on November 15.

Cornelius Smith is the other suspected shooter. Smith testified against Johnson, claiming Govan hired both of them to carry out Big Jook’s $100,000 “hit on Dolph.”

Big Jook is the late brother of Dolph’s rival and fellow rapper Yo Gotti.

Smith added they planned to pay Govan $10,000 after the hit, while each gunman would take home $40,000. He claims he only received $800 of that promise before his January 2022 arrest. Smith will appear in court again on November 15.

No motive for the murder has been disclosed.

The rivalry between Gotti and Dolph escalated over time, driven by their differing affiliations and the competitive Memphis rap scene. Tensions mounted as both artists exchanged subliminal jabs in their music and engaged in public disputes.

In September 2017, Dolph was shot outside a Los Angeles hotel during a confrontation with three men. Initially, many speculated that the incident was tied to his rivalry with Gotti, who was also present at the hotel. However, the LAPD later clarified that Gotti was not considered a person of interest in the investigation.

In the days following the shooting, Corey McClendon, a known associate of Gotti, was arrested but ultimately not charged. Prosecutors raised concerns about Smith’s motivations in testifying against Johnson, citing letters in which Smith allegedly claimed he would lie and say he shot Dolph to secure a better deal. Smith denied these claims, asserting he agreed to “tell the truth” because he had a “conscience.”

In January, Big Jook, 47, was fatally shot near a Memphis restaurant and event center. His murder remains unsolved.

After Johnson’s guilty verdict last week, Young Dolph’s life partner Mia Jaye reacted to the news on Instagram.

“Today’s verdict brings relief and restores my confidence in the justice system. On behalf of my children, family and myself, I would like to thank law enforcement, the prosecution, and everyone involved for their diligent work in presenting the facts that led to this conviction. We are also grateful to the public for standing with us and advocating for accountability throughout this process.”

“The past three years, marked by the loss of Adolph and the events leading to the trial, have been incredibly frustrating. My faith has been tested, but Adolph’s tragic execution has only strengthened my resolve to fight for justice – not only for him but for all Black men.

Jaye concluded, “This is just the beginning of our journey toward achieving full justice for Adolph, and we will patiently support the unfolding of that process.”

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