State authorities investigating fatal National Guard shooting of Memphis man

Tennessee authorities are currently investigating a tragic incident involving the fatal shooting of 20-year-old Tyrin Johnson in Memphis by two National Guard troops. The shooting occurred during a foot chase in the early hours of Sunday morning, following reports of an armed man firing shots in the area. The guardsmen reportedly opened fire on Johnson after he allegedly turned his weapon towards them, resulting in his death.

The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) is leading the investigation into the circumstances surrounding the shooting. The National Guard has not provided any comments in response to inquiries from ABC News.

This incident has sparked renewed concerns about the deployment of troops to U.S. cities under the Trump administration’s initiative. Currently, there are approximately 1,472 National Guardsmen stationed in Memphis and 120 deployed in New Orleans. The largest deployment is in Washington, D.C., where around 5,000 Guard troops are operating under Title 32 orders.

While military personnel are typically not involved in domestic law enforcement, these troops are primarily responsible for security, logistics, and support roles rather than direct policing. Local lawmakers have expressed dismay over the shooting but are withholding further comments until the investigation is completed.

Memphis Mayor Paul Young described the shooting as “unfortunate” but refrained from commenting further, stating that they would await the outcome of the TBI investigation. State Sen. London Lamar has called for a swift and transparent investigation into the incident, emphasizing the need for clarity on the National Guard’s rules of engagement.

The ACLU of Tennessee has also demanded a thorough and independent investigation into the shooting. The deployment of troops in Memphis has been controversial, with some questioning the impact of their presence on crime rates in the city.

The “Memphis Safe Task Force,” established by President Trump, has been touted as a success in combating crime in the city. However, recent fatal shootings involving task force federal agents have raised concerns about their methods and impact on the community. The ACLU has filed a lawsuit seeking to block Tennessee’s HALO law, which restricts public access to law enforcement activities.

It remains uncertain how much the military presence has contributed to the reduction in crime rates in Memphis. A recent analysis found that the National Guard’s mission in Washington, D.C., has not affected violent crime but has coincided with a decline in property crimes.

Local authorities have emphasized that the decision to deploy the National Guard was made at the state and federal levels, without direct input from local officials. Despite the presence of troops, crime continues to persist in the city.

President Trump visited Memphis earlier this year to praise the efforts of the task force in combating crime. He expressed optimism that Memphis would become a “virtually crime-free city” in the near future. However, the recent shooting has underscored the challenges and complexities of deploying military personnel in domestic law enforcement operations.