Two Tennessee National Guard members fatally shot 20-year-old Tyrin Johnson early Sunday morning in Memphis during a downtown foot pursuit, according to the Memphis Police Department. The guardsmen, who were patrolling as part of a federal task force, opened fire after authorities say Johnson turned toward them with a weapon. Johnson died at the scene despite attempts by two Guard medical specialists to provide first aid.
What happened during the Sunday morning incident?
The shooting occurred around 4 a.m. while the National Guard members were responding to reports of gunshots alongside local police. According to the Memphis Police Department, the guardsmen began pursuing an armed man fleeing on foot. When the individual turned toward the personnel with a gun, the soldiers discharged their weapons. The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) confirmed the man’s identity as Tyrin Johnson and stated that it is currently investigating the circumstances of the incident. No law enforcement officers sustained injuries during the encounter.
Who was Tyrin Johnson?
His cousin, Terracle Nelson, stated that Johnson lived in Nashville, where he worked in construction and attended university classes. Nelson noted that Johnson had recently become a father. A search of state and federal court records conducted Sunday revealed no prior cases involving Johnson, though he had a record of minor traffic violations in Memphis and Nashville. Nelson reported that family members were informed by authorities that Johnson had been shot twice in the chest.
What is the Memphis Safe Task Force?
The National Guard presence in Memphis is part of the Memphis Safe Task Force, a federal initiative convened by President Donald Trump. The task force, which includes both federal and local agencies, began patrolling the city in October. While the U.S. Marshals Service reported in June that the task force has led to more than 10,000 arrests, the deployment has faced consistent criticism. Memphis Mayor Paul Young, a Democrat, previously objected to the deployment of federal troops. Following Sunday’s shooting, Young described the event as an “unfortunate incident” and stated he is awaiting the results of the TBI investigation.
What are the implications for the ongoing federal deployment?
The death of Johnson marks at least the fourth officer-involved shooting tied to the task force, according to TBI data. While two previous shootings in May did not involve National Guard members, the TBI also linked the task force to an October incident without specifying which agencies were involved. The deployment faces legal challenges, including a pending federal lawsuit filed by four Memphis residents represented by the American Civil Liberties Union. The plaintiffs allege that task force members have engaged in a pattern of retaliation against residents who record their operations.
The financial scale of the deployment is significant, with the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office estimating that the operations cost nearly half a billion dollars through the end of December. Costs for the current year are projected to exceed $1 billion. While the Tennessee Court of Appeals ruled in April that local officials lacked the standing to block the troop deployment, the investigation into Sunday’s shooting may influence future discourse regarding the task force’s role in Memphis.
