Key facts
- Two Tennessee National Guard members fatally shot Tyrin Johnson, 20, during a pursuit in Memphis.
- The shooting occurred after Johnson reportedly turned toward the soldiers with a handgun.
Two Tennessee National Guard members fatally shot a man during a pursuit in Memphis after he turned toward them with a gun. The soldiers are part of a federal anti-crime task force.
The incident highlights the controversial nature of federal crime-fighting initiatives in U.S. cities and raises questions about the role and oversight of National Guard members in domestic law enforcement operations.
Two Tennessee National Guard members fatally shot a man during a pursuit in Memphis after he turned toward them with a gun, authorities said. The soldiers are part of the Memphis Safe Task Force, a federal crime-fighting initiative launched last year that includes federal agents, National Guard troops, and local police.
Police responded to a report of shots fired and saw a man, identified as 20-year-old Tyrin Johnson, carrying a handgun. They chased him on foot, and two nearby Guard soldiers joined the pursuit. The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation stated that the situation escalated, resulting in the soldiers firing upon Johnson, killing him. The Memphis Police Department confirmed the suspect turned toward the Guard members with a handgun before they fired.
The TBI is investigating the shooting at the request of the Shelby County district attorney. The deployment of federal troops to Memphis began in October to combat violent crime, a move supported by Governor Bill Lee but met with objections from some local leaders. President Trump has previously visited Memphis to praise the operation, crediting it with driving down crime rates.
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