By Theresa Seiger and Bob D'Angelo, Cox Media Group National Content Desk
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — A shooting in Memphis claimed the life Wednesday of rapper Young Dolph, WHBQ-TV reported, citing unidentified law enforcement sources.
The shooting happened around 1 p.m. at Makeda’s Butter Cookies, a bakery in South Memphis, according to WHBQ. The shop’s owner, Maurice Hill, told the news station that Young Dolph, whose real name is Adolph Robert Thornton Jr., went into the store to buy cookies when someone drove up, shot and killed him.
Update 5:37 p.m. EST Nov. 17: Memphis Mayor Jim Strickland pleaded for calm in the wake of rapper Young Dolph’s shooting death Wednesday.
“To honor all victims of violent crime, I ask for calm in our city to allow the Memphis Police Department to do their duty to capture those responsible, Strickland tweeted.
Stickland also added that the rapper’s death “serves as another reminder of the pain that violent crime brings with it.”
Update 4:44 p.m. EST Nov. 17: In a statement, the Agency for the Performing Arts, a talent agency that represented Young Dolph, said it is “shocked and deeply saddened” by the rapper’s death.
“All of us at APA are shocked and deeply saddened by the sudden and tragic loss of our dear friend and client, Young Dolph,” an APA representative said in a statement to Variety. “The world has lost an icon, a great man and beloved artist who has been taken too soon. His dedication, drive, hard work and loyalty to all those around him always came first and he will be deeply missed. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family at this most difficult time. "
Original report: Young Dolph, 36, released his debut album “King of Memphis” in 2016. His second album, “Rich Slave” was released in 2020 and peaked at No. 4 on the Billboard 200 chart. He was well known around the Memphis area, where he handed out turkeys for Thanksgiving through the Memphis Athletic Ministries charity, spoke to schoolchildren and donated money to his former high school, WHBQ reported.
Crowds gathered at the scene of the shooting on Wednesday afternoon, with some people laying on the ground in tears, according to the news station. Authorities told WHBQ that one other person was with Young Dolph at the time of the shooting.
Authorities did not immediately release information about the shooter, WHBQ reported.
Remembering Young Dolph. PARIS, FRANCE - NOVEMBER 29: Young Dolph from Young Dolph & Key Glock performs at Le Trianon on November 29, 2019 in Paris, France. (Photo by David Wolff - Patrick/Redferns for ABA) (David Wolff - Patrick/Redferns)
Remembering Young Dolph. COLLEGE PARK, GEORGIA - AUGUST 23: Rapper Young Dolph performs on stage during the Parking Lot Concert series at Gateway Center Arena on August 23, 2020 in College Park, Georgia. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images) (Paras Griffin/Getty Images)
Remembering Young Dolph. ATLANTA, GEORGIA - OCTOBER 05: Young Dolph
attends the BET Hip Hop Awards 2019 at Cobb Energy Center on October 05, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images) (Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)
Remembering Young Dolph. LOS ANGELES, CA - JUNE 24: Young Dolph attends night three of the STAPLES Center Concert, sponsored by Sprite, during the 2017 BET Experience at Staples Center on June 24, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Bennett Raglin/Getty Images for BET) (Bennett Raglin/Getty Images for BET)
Remembering Young Dolph. LOS ANGELES, CA - JUNE 24: Young Dolph performs onstage at night three of the STAPLES Center Concert, sponsored by Sprite, during the 2017 BET Experience at Staples Center on June 24, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Bennett Raglin/Getty Images for BET) (Bennett Raglin/Getty Images for BET)
Remembering Young Dolph. LOS ANGELES, CA - JUNE 24: Young Dolph at day 2 of the Radio Broadcast Center, sponsored by Sprite, during the 2017 BET Awards at Microsoft Square on June 24, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Maury Phillips/Getty Images for BET) (Maury Phillips/Getty Images for BET)
Remembering Young Dolph. ATLANTA, GA - JULY 22: Rapper Young Dolph performs on stage at Gucci and Friends Homecoming Concert at Fox Theatre on July 22, 2016 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images for Atlantic Records) (Paras Griffin)
Remembering Young Dolph. NEW YORK, NY - SEPTEMBER 14: Musician Young Dolph attends the Luar fashion show during New York Fashion Week September 2016 at The Standard, Highline on September 14, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images for MADE Fashion Week) (Jamie McCarthy)
Remembering Young Dolph. LOS ANGELES, CA - JUNE 25: Rapper Young Dolph performs onstage at night four of the Late Night Concert during the 2017 BET Experience at The Novo by Microsoft on June 25, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images for BET) (Paras Griffin/Getty Images for BET)