Third Suspect In The Murder Of Young Dolph Has Gone Missing

Authorities say the third suspect in the murder of Memphis rapper Young Dolph has gone missing after he was released from an Indiana jail in January.

Law enforcement has issued an arrest warrant for Shondale Barnett, 28. He was arrested on Jan. 11 with Justin Johnson, another suspect in the case.

Barnett was supposed to be extradited to Memphis, but he was released from custody on Jan. 21. 

Cornelius Smith is another suspect involved in the case and is currently in custody, Complex reported.

The Shelby County Sheriff’s Office is looking for Barnett. They say they have no idea where he is.

On Thursday, Clay County Sheriff Paul Harden addressed the situation during a press conference, saying, “On Jan. 11, Mr. Shundale Barnett was brought to the Clay County Jail by the Indiana State Police from an arrest on I-70. He was booked in the Clay County Jail on an outstanding warrant from Shelby County, Tennessee,” Harden explained.

“We contacted Shelby County and held him on their warrant,” he continued. “And we were contacted on Jan. 21 and they told us that they were no longer wanting to come and pick up Mr. Barnett and that we were to release him at that time.” 

Shelby County District Attorney General Amy Weirich did not give a definitive answer when asked why the suspect was released.

“I can’t because it’s a pending case,” Weirich said. “It is a pending investigation, it is a pending prosecution, and we can’t get into that at this time. When we can, we will answer all those questions that I know the public has.”

Barnett was charged with being an accessory after the fact of first-degree murder. In addition, he also faces charges of criminal attempt to commit first-degree murder and theft of property.