Tennessee National Guard Soldiers Fatally Shoot Man During Early-Morning Chase in Memphis

Two Tennessee National Guard soldiers fired on 20-year-old Tyrin Johnson during a chase in Memphis early Sunday, killing him at the scene, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) said. The incident occurred around 4 a.m. after the soldiers responded to a report of gunfire, and the TBI reported that Johnson turned and pointed a gun at the troops before they opened fire.

The TBI statement said the situation escalated for reasons under investigation, resulting in the two soldiers firing and striking Johnson, who died despite attempts by Guard medical specialists to provide first aid. The bureau is reviewing the circumstances and has not identified the soldiers involved.

Lt. Col. Darrin Haas, spokesperson for the Tennessee National Guard, declined to name the personnel and confirmed that Johnson died at the scene. Memphis Mayor Paul Young described the shooting as an "unfortunate incident" and said he would await the TBI investigation before commenting further.

The deployment of the National Guard in Tennessee, authorized by Governor Bill Lee in October, has been the subject of legal challenges and political debate, with opponents arguing it infringes on municipal autonomy. The state court of appeals upheld the deployment in April after a temporary halt in November.

According to TBI data, the shooting is at least the fourth officer-involved incident linked to the Memphis Safe Task Force, a joint federal and local law-enforcement effort. The task force has been involved in several prior shootings this year.

Family members of Johnson said he had been shot twice in the chest and expressed a desire to review investigative findings and video evidence before forming a judgment.