National Guard Involved in Fatal Shooting in Memphis

Members of the National Guard patrolled Memphis on October 11, 2025. The patrol turned into a fatal incident early Sunday when National Guard troops fired their weapons, killing a man. According to Memphis police, officers responded to reports of gunfire in downtown Memphis just before 4 a.m. Upon arrival, they encountered Tyrin Johnson, a 20-year-old armed with a handgun.

Johnson attempted to flee, prompting a chase by Memphis police and Tennessee National Guard soldiers. The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) released a statement indicating that the exact sequence of events was unclear. However, the situation intensified, leading two National Guard members to shoot Johnson. The TBI mentioned that Johnson was hit and killed after allegedly turning towards the soldiers with his weapon.

No officers were injured during the incident. The TBI is investigating, as requested by Shelby County District Attorney Steve Mulroy. Their investigation aims to uncover the chain of events, gather evidence, and interview witnesses.

The National Guard’s presence in Memphis stems from a federal task force launched last year by President Trump, aimed at reducing crime. Statistics from the FBI showed Memphis had a high violent crime rate, although police noted a decline in overall crime rates even before the National Guard’s arrival.

Despite some residents expressing support for federal intervention, Democratic state and local officials challenged the deployment, claiming it violated the Tennessee Constitution’s limitations on the governor’s power to deploy military forces. Initially, a judge issued a temporary injunction blocking the deployment. However, a state appeals court overturned this decision, allowing the operation to proceed in April.

The TBI remains in charge of investigating the shooting.