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National Guard members on patrol in Memphis fatally shoot man during pursuit, police say

Published July 6, 2026 at 2:57 PM UTC

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On July 5, 2026, two Tennessee National Guard members, part of a federal crime-fighting task force in Memphis, fatally shot 20-year-old Tyrin Johnson during a downtown pursuit. The soldiers, responding to reports of gunfire around 4 a.m., began chasing an armed man fleeing on foot. According to the Memphis Police Department, the guardsmen opened fire after Johnson turned toward them with his weapon. Despite attempts at first aid by National Guard medics, Johnson died at the scene. The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation is examining the circumstances of the shooting. Johnson, a student and aspiring music artist, had no significant criminal history. Memphis Mayor Paul Young described the incident as "unfortunate" and is awaiting the investigation's outcome. The Memphis Safe Task Force, active since October and linked to over 10,000 arrests, has faced controversy due to multiple officer-involved shootings. Memphis continues to grapple with high violent crime rates, though some categories have declined. A recent state appeals court ruling allowed federal troop deployment in the city. "