Fatal Shooting Involving National Guard in Memphis Under Investigation

On October 11, 2025, members of the National Guard patrolled Memphis as part of an ongoing federal task force against crime. Early Sunday morning, Memphis police reported a fatal shooting involving National Guard troops.

The incident occurred when police and National Guard soldiers responded to calls about gunfire in downtown Memphis shortly before 4 am local time. Officers spotted a 20-year-old man, identified as Tyrin Johnson, armed with a handgun. Johnson fled on foot, pursued by police and National Guard soldiers.

Events at the scene escalated, leading to two National Guard soldiers firing at Johnson, according to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI). Johnson was killed on the spot after reportedly “turning toward National Guard members with his weapon.” No officers were injured during the confrontation.

The TBI began an investigation into the incident following a request from Shelby County District Attorney Steve Mulroy. The inquiry aims to provide an independent assessment of the sequence of events leading to the shooting, involving evidence collection and interviews.

Since October of the previous year, the National Guard has been present in Memphis. This deployment is part of a federal initiative launched by President Trump to address the city’s severe crime rates. Despite Memphis having one of the country’s highest violent crime rates, local police noted a decline in crime before the arrival of the National Guard.

While the federal intervention has received some support from residents, it faced legal challenges. Democratic state and local officials filed a lawsuit against the troop deployment, citing constitutional concerns. A judge initially sided with local officials, enforcing a temporary injunction. However, this decision was overturned by a state appeals court in April, allowing the deployment to proceed.

The TBI remains responsible for the investigation of the fatal shooting.