TBI Investigates 2 National Guard Soldiers in Fatal Memphis Shooting of 20-Year-Old
Updated
Updated · WBBJ-TV · Jul 5
TBI Investigates 2 National Guard Soldiers in Fatal Memphis Shooting of 20-Year-Old
3 articles · Updated · WBBJ-TV · Jul 5
Summary
Around 4 a.m. in downtown Memphis, two Tennessee National Guard soldiers shot and killed 20-year-old Tyrin Johnson during an officer-involved incident near Ida B. Wells Avenue and Union Avenue.
TBI said Memphis police were chasing Johnson on foot after reports he fired shots in the area, and nearby soldiers assigned to the Memphis Safe Task Force joined the pursuit before the encounter escalated.
No law enforcement officers were injured, and TBI agents are collecting evidence and conducting interviews before sending findings to District Attorney General Steve Mulroy for review.
The bureau said it serves only as a fact-finder and will not decide whether the shooting was justified; that determination rests with the district attorney.
The killing is at least the third death linked to the Memphis Safe Task Force, which includes National Guard troops deployed in the city amid violent-crime concerns.