MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Two Tennessee National Guard members assigned to a federal crime-fighting mission fatally shot a 20-year-old man during a foot pursuit in downtown Memphis early Sunday after he turned toward them with a handgun, according to local authorities, as state investigators opened an inquiry into the incident.
The shooting occurred shortly before 4 a.m. as Memphis police officers and National Guard personnel responded to reports of gunfire in the downtown area, the Memphis Police Department said. Officers said they observed an armed man carrying a handgun who fled on foot when approached.
Police said the pursuit ended when the man turned toward the National Guard members while holding the weapon. The two soldiers fired, striking the man. He was pronounced dead at the scene despite emergency aid provided by National Guard medics, authorities said.
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation identified the man as Tyrin Johnson, 20, and said it had assumed responsibility for investigating the shooting. The agency said no law enforcement officers or National Guard personnel were injured during the encounter. It added that the circumstances leading to the use of deadly force remain under investigation.
The National Guard members involved were assigned to the Memphis Safe Task Force, a joint federal and local initiative established as part of a broader crime-reduction effort supported by President Donald Trump and Tennessee Governor Bill Lee. The deployment placed National Guard personnel alongside local law enforcement in patrol and public safety operations across Memphis.
The deployment has drawn political and legal scrutiny since it began last year, with supporters arguing it strengthens public safety and critics questioning the military's role in civilian law enforcement. A Tennessee appeals court recently allowed the deployment to continue after legal challenges from local officials.
Memphis Mayor Paul Young described the shooting as an unfortunate incident and said he would await the findings of the independent investigation before commenting further on the actions of those involved, according to published remarks.
Authorities have not announced whether body-camera or other video footage exists or when additional information may be released. The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation said its findings will be submitted to the appropriate prosecutorial authorities once the investigation is complete.
