Hernandez Govan: What's known about the suspect in Young Dolph's death

A third suspect has been arrested and charged with first-degree murder in connection with the fatal shooting of Adolph Thornton Jr., better known as Young Dolph — one of the most successful rappers to emerge from Memphis in the last decade.

Hernandez Govan, 43, was arrested Thursday. Memphis police have not detailed how investigators believe Govan is connected to the Nov. 17, 2021, shooting that killed Thornton while he was inside of Makeda's Homemade Cookies on Airways Boulevard.

Shelby County District Attorney General Steve Mulroy confirmed to The Commercial Appeal that Govan is a person of interest in Thornton's death. Govan is suspected of putting a hit on Thornton before his death, Mulroy confirmed.

Govan is additionally charged with attempted first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit first-degree murder. The former charge likely links to Thornton's brother, who was with him when he was killed inside of Makeda's.

The latter charge of conspiracy is more ambiguous. The date of the conspiracy charge on Govan's booking sheet is June 1, 2021 — several months before Thornton was killed.

As of Friday morning, court documents that could offer insight into Govan's alleged involvement were not available in the Shelby County criminal justice portal — likely because of the Veteran's Day holiday.

A death in the family, and a stint in federal prison

Govan has previous convictions both at the state and federal levels. He was released from federal prison in July 2019 after serving 40 months for weapons and drug charges.

The nature of Govan's convictions in state court was not immediately clear. The Tennessee Department of Corrections listed Govan's release date as 2006. He has been arrested over the years on a variety of charges, ranging from drug offenses to aggravated assault.

Govan's daughter, also an aspiring rapper, was killed earlier in the year

In late September, 25-year-old Destinee Govan was killed in the uptown neighborhood of Houston. She was in a car along with another woman when two men exited a car in front of Destinee Govan's, approached the vehicle, and opened fire on both women.

She was pronounced dead at the scene; the 20-year-old passenger survived with minor injuries, according to KHOU 11 news. One person was arrested in connection with the shooting after police found him with a gunshot wound to his abdomen. An additional suspect has not been arrested.

Destinee Govan was a Memphis-born rapper known as Lotta Cash Desto. Her career as a hip-hop artist was boosted by Lil Uzi Vert, another artist out of Philadelphia who signed her.

In the months since Thornton's death, several suspects have been identified, and some cleared as persons of interest. Govan's arrest brings the total of suspects in custody to three.

Dolph was fatally shot while inside Makeda's Homemade Butter Cookies on Airways Boulevard. Young Dolph was 36 years old. An autopsy report obtained by The Commercial Appeal through a public records request in March reported nearly two dozen wounds to the rapper's back, chin, neck and both arms.

Justin Johnson and Cornelius Smith are currently being held without bond.

Both Johnson and Smith are charged with first-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder, theft of property $10,000-$60,000, using a firearm while committing a felony, and unlawfully carrying a weapon. Their next court appearance will be on January 20.

Micaela Watts is a reporter for The Commercial Appeal. She can be reached at micaela.watts@commercialappeal.com.

This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: What we know about the third suspect arrested for Young Dolph's death,