Tennessee National Guard Soldiers Fatally Shoot Armed Man in Memphis
Two Tennessee National Guard soldiers shot and killed 20-year-old Tyrin Johnson early Sunday in Memphis during an armed pursuit. Johnson, fleeing with a handgun, allegedly turned toward the soldiers, prompting them to fire. He died at the scene. The soldiers were part of the Memphis Safe Task Force, a federal initiative authorized by President Trump and Governor Bill Lee, deployed since October 2025. The deployment has faced legal challenges. The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation is probing the incident.
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Two Tennessee National Guard members fatally shoot man in Memphis as part of Trump-backed task force
Two Tennessee National Guard members fatally shot 20-year-old Tyrin Johnson in Memphis on Sunday after encountering him with a handgun. The soldiers were deployed as part of President Trump's Memphis Safe Task Force, a state initiative authorized by Tennessee Governor Bill Lee. Preliminary investigation details are limited, but the shooting occurred during a patrol assignment. The incident raises questions about the use of military personnel for domestic law enforcement operations. The article is sourced from The Hill and reports the core facts of the event, including the victim's identity and the task force context, though full details of the encounter remain under investigation.
Just In NewsTennessee National Guard soldiers shoot, kill civilian during armed pursuit in Memphis
On July 5, 2026, two Tennessee National Guard soldiers assigned to the Memphis Safe Task Force shot and killed 20-year-old Tyrin Johnson during a foot pursuit in Memphis. Memphis Police had responded to a shots-fired call and observed an armed man fleeing. The soldiers joined the pursuit, and Johnson allegedly turned his weapon on them, prompting the guardsmen to open fire. Johnson was pronounced dead at the scene; no officers or soldiers were injured. The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation has launched a formal inquiry, though it acts solely as a fact-finder and does not determine justification. The Guard has been deployed to Memphis since October 2025 under Republican Gov. Bill Lee, despite not being requested by Democratic Mayor Paul Young. Young expressed concerns about the task force's approach. Overall crime in Memphis dipped in 2025, but the city set a homicide record in 2023.
Military TimesTennessee National Guard Soldiers Shoot, Kill Civilian During Armed Pursuit in Memphis
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation has launched a formal inquiry after two Tennessee National Guard soldiers shot and killed a civilian, 20-year-old Tyrin Johnson, during a foot pursuit in Memphis early on July 5, 2026. Memphis Police responded to a shots-fired call and observed an armed man fleeing. National Guard soldiers, assigned to the Memphis Safe Task Force, joined the pursuit. Johnson allegedly turned his weapon on the soldiers, prompting them to open fire. He was pronounced dead at the scene. No officers or soldiers were injured. The TBI is investigating but noted it does not determine justification, which rests with the District Attorney General. The Guard has been deployed to Memphis since October 2025 under Republican Gov. Bill Lee's approval, despite Democratic Mayor Paul Young not requesting the deployment. Young later stated the task force should focus on violent offenders, not intimidate the public. Overall crime dipped in 2025, but Memphis set a record with over 390 homicides in 2023.
Military TimesTennessee National Guard soldiers shoot, kill civilian during armed pursuit in Memphis
Two Tennessee National Guard soldiers shot and killed a 20-year-old civilian, Tyrin Johnson, early Sunday morning on July 5, 2026, during an armed foot pursuit in Memphis. The soldiers, deployed as part of the Memphis Safe Task Force since October 2025, were responding to a shots-fired call when they observed Johnson fleeing with a handgun. According to Memphis Police, Johnson allegedly turned his weapon on the soldiers, prompting them to open fire. Johnson was pronounced dead at the scene; no officers or soldiers were injured. The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) has launched a formal inquiry into the incident. The deployment was approved by Republican Gov. Bill Lee despite Democratic Mayor Paul Young not requesting it. Mayor Young later stated he wanted the task force to target violent offenders, not harass the public. The investigation is ongoing.
Military TimesTennessee National Guard soldiers shoot and kill civilian during armed pursuit in Memphis
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation has launched a formal inquiry after two Tennessee National Guard soldiers shot and killed a civilian during an armed pursuit in Memphis early Sunday, July 5, 2026. Memphis Police responded to a shots-fired call and observed an armed man fleeing. National Guard soldiers, assigned to the Memphis Safe Task Force, joined the foot pursuit. The civilian, 20-year-old Tyrin Johnson, allegedly turned his weapon on the soldiers, prompting them to open fire. Johnson was pronounced dead at the scene. No officers or soldiers were injured. The TBI is investigating but noted it does not determine justification; that decision rests with the District Attorney General. Tennessee National Guard troops have been deployed to Memphis since October 2025 under Republican Gov. Bill Lee's approval, despite Democratic Mayor Paul Young not requesting the deployment. Mayor Young later stated he wanted the task force to target violent offenders, not to intimidate the public. Overall crime dipped in 2025, but Memphis set a record with over 390 homicides in 2023.
Army TimesTennessee National Guard Soldiers Shoot, Kill Civilian During Armed Pursuit in Memphis
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) has launched a formal inquiry after two Tennessee National Guard soldiers shot and killed a civilian, Tyrin Johnson, 20, during an armed pursuit in Memphis early on July 5, 2026. According to Memphis Police, officers responded to a shots-fired call around 4 a.m. and observed Johnson fleeing with a handgun. National Guard soldiers, assigned to the Memphis Safe Task Force, joined the foot pursuit. Johnson allegedly turned his weapon on the soldiers, prompting them to open fire. He was pronounced dead at the scene. No officers or soldiers were injured. The TBI noted it acts solely as a fact-finder and does not determine justification; that decision rests with the District Attorney General. The Guard has been deployed to Memphis since October 2025 under Republican Gov. Bill Lee, despite Democratic Mayor Paul Young not requesting the deployment. Young later said the task force should focus on violent offenders, not intimidate the public. Overall crime in Memphis dipped in 2025, though the city set a homicide record in 2023.
Army TimesTennessee National Guard soldiers shoot and kill civilian during armed pursuit in Memphis
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation has launched a formal inquiry after two Tennessee National Guard soldiers shot and killed a civilian during an armed pursuit in Memphis early on July 5, 2026. Memphis Police responded to a shots-fired call and observed an armed man fleeing. National Guard soldiers, assigned to the Memphis Safe Task Force, joined the foot pursuit. The civilian, 20-year-old Tyrin Johnson, allegedly turned his weapon on the soldiers, prompting them to open fire. Johnson was pronounced dead at the scene. No officers or soldiers were injured. The TBI is investigating as a fact-finder, with the District Attorney General determining justification. The Guard has been deployed to Memphis since October 2025 under Republican Gov. Bill Lee, despite Democratic Mayor Paul Young not requesting the deployment. Overall crime in Memphis dipped in 2025, but the city set a homicide record in 2023.
Army TimesNational Guard soldiers shoot and kill man in Memphis overnight
Two Tennessee National Guard soldiers shot and killed 20-year-old Tyrin Johnson early Sunday in Memphis after a chase. Memphis police and National Guard troops, deployed as part of a federal task force, responded to reports of gunfire around 4 a.m. Police were chasing Johnson, who was armed with a handgun, when National Guard soldiers joined the pursuit. The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation stated that the situation escalated, leading the soldiers to fire on Johnson, striking and killing him. The Memphis Police Department reported that Johnson turned toward the National Guard members with his weapon. Two National Guard medics provided first aid, but Johnson died at the scene. The TBI is investigating at the request of the district attorney general. The deployment of several hundred National Guard troops to Memphis in October 2025, part of a federal task force established by President Trump, has sparked ongoing legal challenges, though a state appeals court overturned a temporary injunction in April.
Task & PurposeTennessee National Guard Soldiers Fatally Shoot Armed Man in Memphis
Two members of the Tennessee National Guard shot and killed 20-year-old Tyrin Johnson early Sunday in Memphis after a chase. Memphis police and National Guard soldiers, deployed as part of a federal task force, responded to reports of gunfire just before 4 a.m. Police were chasing Johnson, who was armed with a handgun, when National Guard soldiers joined the pursuit. According to the Memphis Police Department, Johnson turned toward the Guard members with his weapon, prompting them to fire. Johnson was pronounced dead at the scene despite medics providing first aid. The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation is investigating the fatal shooting at the request of the district attorney general. The National Guard troops have been deployed to Memphis since October 2025 in support of a federal task force established by President Donald Trump. The deployment has faced legal challenges, but a state appeals court recently allowed it to continue.
Task & PurposeTennessee National Guard soldiers fatally shoot armed man in Memphis
Two Tennessee National Guard soldiers shot and killed 20-year-old Tyrin Johnson early Sunday in Memphis after a chase. Memphis police were pursuing Johnson, who was armed with a handgun, when National Guard soldiers joined the pursuit. The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation stated that the situation escalated for reasons under investigation, leading the soldiers to open fire. Memphis Police reported that Johnson turned toward the Guard members with his weapon. Medics provided first aid, but Johnson died at the scene. The Guard troops are part of a federal task force deployed to Memphis in October 2025 under Governor Bill Lee's authority, supporting the Memphis Safe Task Force. The deployment has faced legal challenges, including a temporary injunction that was overturned in April 2026. The TBI is investigating the shooting at the request of the district attorney general.
Task & Purpose