Fatal Shooting Incident In Memphis Involving National Guard Soldiers

Overview of the Incident

In downtown Memphis, two soldiers from the Tennessee National Guard shot and killed an armed individual after a foot pursuit early Sunday morning, as reported by local authorities. The incident unfolded just before 4:00 AM, coinciding with police responses to gunfire reports following Fourth of July festivities. The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) has identified the deceased as 20-year-old Tyrin Johnson.

According to the TBI, responding officers encountered Johnson, who was armed with a handgun and fled on foot. National Guard personnel, present in the area, joined the Memphis police in the chase. The TBI stated, "For reasons under investigation, the situation escalated, resulting in two National Guard soldiers firing upon Johnson, striking and killing him." Johnson was declared dead at the scene, with no injuries reported among law enforcement officers.

Earlier reports from the Memphis Police Department indicated that Johnson had turned towards the National Guard members while brandishing a handgun before the soldiers discharged their weapons. This detail was not mentioned in the TBI's statement, which noted that the circumstances surrounding the shooting are still under investigation.

At the request of Shelby County District Attorney Steve Mulroy, the TBI has initiated an independent inquiry into the incident. Investigators are currently working to ascertain the sequence of events leading to the shooting, which includes gathering evidence and conducting interviews.

The National Guard has been stationed in Memphis since October of the previous year as part of a federal initiative launched by President Trump aimed at addressing violent crime in the city. This deployment has faced legal scrutiny, with Democratic state and local officials contending that it contravenes the Tennessee Constitution's provisions regarding the deployment of state military forces. A Tennessee judge initially issued a temporary injunction against the deployment, but a state appeals court overturned this decision in April, allowing the National Guard's mission to proceed.

The TBI is currently leading the investigation into the fatal shooting that occurred on Sunday.