National Guard Soldiers Fatally Shoot Armed Man in Downtown Memphis
Two Tennessee National Guard soldiers fatally shot 20-year-old Tyrin Johnson in downtown Memphis early Sunday morning, triggering a state investigation and renewed debate over the deployment of military troops for domestic law enforcement. The shooting occurred around 4 a.m. on July 5 near the intersection of Ida B. Wells Avenue and Union Avenue, close to AutoZone Park, according to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation.
Background: The Memphis Safe Task Force
The soldiers involved were assigned to the Memphis Safe Task Force, a multi-agency operation established in September 2025 by President Donald Trump through a presidential memorandum titled “Restoring Law and Order in Memphis.” The task force includes the Tennessee National Guard, FBI, DEA, ATF, ICE, Homeland Security Investigations, and U.S. Marshals, and has made more than 10,700 arrests since its inception.
Memphis is one of several Democratic-led cities where the Trump administration deployed federal forces to further its anti-crime and immigration agendas. At the task force’s launch in October 2025, White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller told members to “police aggressively,” saying, “You are unleashed,” as NBC News reported.
What Happened
According to the TBI, Memphis police officers responded to a shots-fired call in the downtown area. Officers observed Johnson carrying a handgun, and he fled on foot. National Guard soldiers assigned to the task force joined the pursuit. The TBI stated that “for reasons under investigation, the situation escalated, resulting in two National Guard soldiers firing upon Johnson, striking and killing him.” No law enforcement officers were injured.
Memphis police said in a statement that Johnson “turned toward NG members with his weapon” during the chase, at which point the soldiers discharged their weapons. Johnson was pronounced dead at the scene after two Guard medical specialists attempted first aid.
The Victim
Tyrin Johnson was a Nashville-area resident, a former Tennessee State University student, and the father of a young child. His grandfather, Evaniel Johnson, a former Davidson County Sheriff’s Office correctional officer, told the Associated Press that Tyrin was being trained to take over the family’s real estate development business and was passionate about making music.
“I believed in him, and I know he still had so much life ahead of him,” Evaniel Johnson said. “The heartbreaking reality is that he will never have the chance to enjoy what we were building together. That is a pain no grandparent should ever have to endure.”
Johnson had no criminal history in Shelby County or federal courts, though he had minor traffic violations and a failure-to-appear warrant from 2025 for which he was arrested in May and released on bond.
Calls for Transparency
The family is demanding the release of any video footage of the shooting. “Show me the video. Please show me that — and then I’m OK,” Evaniel Johnson told the AP. “Until you show me that, I’m gonna fight and advocate for my grandson until there’s no breath in me.”
Tennessee Senate Democratic Leader Raumesh Akbari and Chairwoman London Lamar issued a joint statement calling for a transparent investigation. “Transparency serves everyone — the Johnson family, the members of the National Guard involved, and a community that deserves confidence in the outcome, whatever the facts ultimately show,” they said.
State Rep. Justin Pearson, a Memphis Democrat running for the U.S. House, went further, calling for the task force to be disbanded. “Memphis does not need armed soldiers in our streets terrifying our people,” he said in a statement. The ACLU of Tennessee also demanded a transparent investigation, saying, “We demand a transparent investigation, not a closed-door ruse that leaves our community in the dark.”
Pattern of Fatal Shootings
This was the third fatal shooting involving the Memphis Safe Task Force in less than two months. In May, DEA agents fatally shot 41-year-old Darrin Pigram while serving a warrant, and a Homeland Security Investigations special agent fatally shot Jonah Neal inside his home. The TBI is investigating both incidents.
Broader Controversy
The deployment of National Guard troops for domestic policing has drawn legal challenges. A Davidson County Chancery Court judge initially blocked the deployment in November 2025, but an appellate panel overturned that ruling in April 2026. The ACLU has also sued the state and federal governments, alleging that people who document the task force’s activities face retaliation and intimidation.
Memphis, which is 63% Black, has seen mixed reactions to the task force. While crime has declined — Memphis reported fewer than 200 homicides in 2025 for the first time since 2019 — Black residents have expressed fear of harassment and concerns about trading high crime for excessive policing.
What’s Next
The TBI is conducting the investigation at the request of Shelby County District Attorney Steve Mulroy. The TBI acts solely as fact-finders and will not determine whether the shooting was justified — that decision rests with the District Attorney General. The two National Guard soldiers involved have not been identified, and it remains unclear whether they have been placed on leave. The family and community leaders continue to press for the release of video evidence, which could prove pivotal in determining public perception of the incident.”