Fatal Shooting Involving National Guard in Memphis: Investigation Underway

In Memphis, National Guard members patrolled the city on October 11, 2025. The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) reported an incident involving National Guard troops firing their weapons early Sunday morning, resulting in the death of an armed man.

Memphis police received reports of gunshots fired in the downtown area shortly before 4 a.m. Officers encountered a male suspect, identified as 20-year-old Tyrin Johnson, carrying a handgun. As the man fled, Memphis police officers, alongside Tennessee National Guard soldiers, pursued him.

The situation escalated, leading to two National Guard soldiers discharging their weapons, hitting and killing Johnson. TBI’s statement indicated that Johnson turned towards the National Guard members with his weapon before they fired. Johnson was pronounced dead at the scene. No law enforcement officers were injured during the incident.

The investigation was requested by Shelby County District Attorney Steve Mulroy and is being handled by TBI agents. They are tasked with reconstructing the sequence of events that led to the shooting, which includes gathering evidence and conducting interviews.

Since October last year, the National Guard has been part of a federal task force in Memphis, aiming to address crime under President Trump’s directive. Despite Memphis having one of the highest violent crime rates in the U.S., local law enforcement reported a decline in overall crime, including violent crime, in 2025, even before the deployment began.

Community members expressed appreciation for the intervention from federal forces, while Democratic officials opposed the deployment, citing constitutional concerns over the governor’s authority in deploying military forces. Republican Governor Bill Lee commanded the troops’ operations, and a legal challenge ensued. Initially, a Tennessee judge issued an injunction to halt the deployment, but a state appeals court overturned the decision in April, allowing the operation to proceed.

The TBI will continue investigating the circumstances around the fatal shooting.