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MEMPHIS – Two members of the Tennessee National Guard shot and killed a man in the early morning hours on July 5 during a pursuit in downtown Memphis, officials said.In a statement to The Commercial Appeal, part of the USA TODAY Network, the Memphis Police Department said officers responded to a "shots-fired call" in the downtown area shortly before 4 a.m. local time. After arriving at the scene, police said officers saw several people leaving the area and "observed an armed male carrying a handgun."The man, who was later identified by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) as 20-year-old Tyrin Johnson, fled on foot and was pursued by officers along with Guard members who were assigned to the area, according to police. During the pursuit, police said Johnson turned toward the Guard members with his weapon."For reasons under investigation, the situation escalated, resulting in two National Guard soldiers firing upon Johnson, striking and killing him," the TBI said in a statement. "No law enforcement officers were hurt in the incident."Johnson had "reportedly fired shots in the area," according to the TBI. Guard spokesperson Lt. Col. Darrin Haas said two Guard medical specialists attempted first aid but Johnson was pronounced dead at the scene.Haas said the Guard members were in the city as part of the Memphis Safe Task Force, which was established by the Trump administration to combat crime in the city. The task force did not immediately respond The Commercial Appeal's request for comment on the shooting.Shelby County District Attorney Steve Mulroy confirmed to The Commercial Appeal that two Guard members were involved in the incident and said he called the TBI to look into the circumstances of the shooting.Man fatally shot by National Guard had prior traffic offenses, court records showJohnson did not appear to have a criminal record in Shelby County, according to court records. A public records search found an address tied to Johnson in Franklin County, Ohio, and court records for that area also showed no criminal record.A search of federal court records in Tennessee and Ohio also showed no criminal charges against Johnson.Court records from Davidson County, Tennessee, showed an improper vehicle lighting and speeding charge, both misdemeanors, for Johnson in 2023. He pleaded guilty to both.In 2024, Johnson was charged with driving with a suspended license in Wilson County, Tennessee. Court records show he did not appear for a January 2025 hearing, and a failure-to-appear warrant was issued.He was later arrested by Mt. Juliet police outside of Nashville in May this year, according to court records. Johnson was released on a $4,500 bond in Wilson County and had a hearing set for July 8 there.National Guard deployment in MemphisLast year, President Donald Trump deployed Guard troops and federal agents to Democratic-led cities, such as Los Angeles, Washington, DC, Chicago, Portland and Memphis. The Trump administration cited crime and protests as reasons for the deployments, despite objections from local leaders.The Guard has been in Memphis since October 2025. Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee, a Republican, had welcomed the federal intervention while Memphis Mayor Paul Young, a Democrat, said he did "not support" the deployment of the Guard.Guard members, clearly distinguished by their military fatigues, have been seen walking throughout downtown Memphis on patrols and directing traffic during events. They have also been seen securing the perimeter of crime scenes throughout the city.The Guard's deployment to Memphis has been subject to a lawsuit, filed by a group of Democratic officials from the local and state level. A Davidson County Chancery Court judge initially granted a temporary injunction against the deployment, but that injunction was later struck down by a panel of appellate judges.The temporary injunction would have required the Guard to withdraw from Memphis pending the outcome of the case. Since the appellate court removed it, the lawsuit has been stagnant.The shooting is the fourth one involving a member of the task force in Memphis and the third fatal shooting by a member of the task force. In May, a Drug Enforcement Administration agent fatally shot a 41-year-old man and a week later, a Homeland Security Investigations special agent shot and killed a 25-year-old man.Contributing: N'dea Yancey-Bragg, USA TODAY
