Investigation Into Memphis Shooting Involving Tennessee National Guard

Video footage released by county prosecutors reveals Tennessee National Guard troops in Memphis pointing their handguns at a man after he was shot in the back during a pursuit last summer. The man, Tyrin Johnson, lay dying on the sidewalk. A Memphis police officer, captured in footage from a body camera, is heard requesting an ambulance and inquiring if the troops had medical kits available.

The Shelby County District Attorney’s Office provided videos, compiled from various sources, as the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation examines the fatal shooting of Johnson that occurred on July 5. Johnson, aged 20, was reportedly armed and succumbed to a single gunshot wound at the scene. His family’s autopsy report indicates he was shot in the back. This challenges earlier statements from police and National Guard officials claiming he faced them with a weapon.

André C. Wharton, the family’s attorney, pointed out that the videos do not depict the moments leading up to or during the shooting, nor do they show the initial interaction with the guard. Emphasizing the need for a focused investigation, Wharton stated, “This investigation must stay focused on the moment the guardsman fired the fatal shot and whether that action was reasonable.” He stressed the importance of an unbiased review regarding whether the use of force was appropriate.

The troops involved were part of a federal task force initiated by President Trump, aiming to address crime in cities managed by Democratic officials. Tennessee’s Governor Bill Lee supported this initiative by deploying the National Guard. The task force was implicated in four deadly shootings between May and July.

Footage depicts street cameras showing a dark-clothed person firing shots at people walking on a sidewalk. Memphis police officers, responding to nearby gunfire, pursued an armed suspect on foot. A blurry body camera video recorded yelling and gunshots. The incident report from the Tennessee National Guard mentions that after being notified by police radio, two guard members engaged with the suspect, who allegedly pointed a handgun at them. Both guards then discharged their weapons.

Post-shooting footage shows guard members instructing Johnson, lying on his back, to “turn over” while pointing their firearms. Johnson, who was a father and aimed to co-manage a family construction business, died after the confrontation. At least six guard members were present at the site post-shooting. One guard moved a weapon on the ground, instructed by an officer to leave it untouched. Assistance requests, including an ambulance call, were recorded in the video.

District Attorney Steve Mulroy has not decided on pursuing charges. Meanwhile, communication from the Tennessee National Guard remains pending. Johnson’s family’s legal representative has called for public patience as the investigation continues to seek comprehensive evidence about the incident.