Tennessee National Guard Guardsmen Shoot and Kill Man During Memphis Pursuit

Two Tennessee National Guard soldiers who were part of a federal task force in Memphis opened fire on a fleeing suspect early Sunday, killing him, authorities said. The incident occurred around 4 a.m. after police responded to reports of gunshots and began pursuing an armed man on foot. According to the city police department, the guardsmen fired when the suspect turned toward them with a gun.

The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation identified the victim as 20-year-old Tyrin Johnson and is investigating the shooting. Johnson died at the scene after two Guard medical specialists attempted first aid, Guard spokesperson Lt. Col. Darrin Haas said.

Mayor Paul Young described the event as an “unfortunate incident” and said he will await the TBI investigation results before commenting further. The Guard and the TBI did not respond to inquiries about the number of shots fired.

Johnson’s family, including his older cousin Terracle Nelson, expressed grief and questioned the use of force, stating that Johnson had not harmed anyone. The task force, created by President Donald Trump and supported by Governor Bill Lee, has been patrolling Memphis since October and has been linked to more than 10,000 arrests, according to the U.S. Marshals Service. Data from the TBI show at least four officer-involved shootings tied to the task force since its deployment.

The deployment, which has faced legal challenges and public criticism, has cost nearly $500 million through December and is projected to exceed $1 billion this year, per the Congressional Budget Office.