MEMPHIS, Tenn. — A suspect in connection with the murder of rapper Young Dolph is now wanted in Memphis, according to the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office.
U.S. Marshals arrested Shundale Barnett along with accused killer Justin Johnson on Jan. 11 in Indiana. Barnett was a passenger in the vehicle driven with Johnson when he was captured.
Officials in Indiana say Shelby County told them to release Barnett.
Barnett was charged with being an accessory to a role in helping Johnson flee from Memphis, officials said.
According to the U.S. Marshals Service, Barnett also faced charges of criminal attempt to commit first-degree murder and theft of property.
He was held in Indiana and was supposed to be extradited to Memphis with Johnson but officials say that did not happen. He is now wanted by the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office.
Barnett was released from custody in Indiana on Jan. 21. According to Clay County Sheriff Paul Harden, Shelby County told them to release Barnette.
“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,” said Sheriff Harden. “We held them (Barnett), contacted Shelby County, and held him on their warrant and we were contacted on Jan. 21 and they told us that they were no longer wanting to come up and pick up Mr. Barnett and that we were to release him at that time.”
Harden said they have “no idea” where Barnett is.
Johnson was extradited to Memphis from Indiana and appeared in court in January along with Cornelius Smith.
Smith was the first suspect to be arrested in the rapper’s murder. He was charged with auto theft involving the white Mercedes allegedly used as a getaway car in the shooting.
If you have any information regarding Barnett’s whereabout, please call 901-528-CASH.
