National Guard members fatally shoot 20-year-old armed man in downtown Memphis, authorities say

MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE: Two Tennessee National Guard members fatally shot a 20-year-old man during a foot pursuit in downtown Memphis early Sunday, July 5, after he allegedly turned toward them with a handgun, according to authorities.

The shooting occurred while Guard members assigned to a federally backed crime-fighting task force were assisting Memphis Police in responding to reports of gunfire. The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) is investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident. No law enforcement officers were injured during the encounter.

Suspect killed after allegedly turning toward officers with weapon

According to the Memphis Police Department, officers responded to a shots-fired call shortly before 4 am in the downtown area. After arriving, officers observed several people leaving the scene and spotted an armed man carrying a handgun.

Police identified the man as 20-year-old Tyrin Johnson, who fled on foot. Officers and Tennessee National Guard members assigned to the area pursued him through downtown Memphis. 

The TBI said Johnson had "reportedly fired shots in the area." During the chase, authorities said he turned toward the Guard members while holding his weapon.

"For reasons under investigation, the situation escalated, resulting in two National Guard soldiers firing upon Johnson, striking and killing him," the TBI said. "No law enforcement officers were hurt in the incident."

Guard spokesperson Lt Col Darrin Haas said two National Guard medical specialists immediately attempted lifesaving measures, but Johnson was pronounced dead at the scene.

Johnson's cousin, Terracle Nelson, said that family members were informed he had been shot twice in the chest. "I just want to know how they shot a 20-year-old twice in the chest, he hadn't harmed anyone," Nelson said. Authorities have not confirmed how many shots were fired.

Shooting occurred during federally backed Memphis crime task force patrol

The Guard members involved were assigned to the Memphis Safe Task Force, a federal initiative established under the Trump administration to combat violent crime in the city. National Guard troops have been deployed in Memphis since October 2025 alongside federal and local law enforcement agencies.

The deployment has been supported by Tennessee Governor Bill Lee but opposed by Memphis Mayor Paul Young, who has previously said he did not support the Guard's presence in the city.

Mayor Paul Young described Sunday's shooting as "an unfortunate incident" and said he would await the findings of the TBI investigation before commenting further, according to a statement provided by spokesperson Penelope Huston. 

Court records reviewed by authorities showed Johnson did not have a known criminal record in Shelby County or Ohio, though he had several misdemeanor traffic violations, including speeding, improper vehicle lighting and driving with a suspended license.

This incident marks the fourth officer-involved shooting connected to the Memphis Safe Task Force and the first publicly reported fatal shooting involving Tennessee National Guard members assigned to the operation. The TBI continues to investigate the shooting, while the Shelby County District Attorney's Office has also requested an independent review.