MEMPHIS – At the request of 30th Judicial District Attorney General Steve Mulroy, TBI agents are investigating the circumstances of an officer-involved shooting on Sunday morning in Memphis involving soldiers from the Tennessee National Guard assigned to the Memphis Safe Task Force.

Preliminary information indicates the shooting happened at approximately 4:00 AM near the intersection of Ida B. Wells Avenue and Union Avenue. Memphis police officers had been engaged in a foot pursuit of a man armed with a handgun, identified as 20-year-old Tyrin Johnson, who reportedly fired shots in the area. National Guard soldiers, on assignment as part of the Memphis Safe Task Force, were nearby and joined the pursuit. For reasons under investigation, the situation escalated, resulting in two National Guard soldiers firing upon Johnson, striking and killing him. No law enforcement officers were hurt in the incident.

TBI agents are working to independently determine the series of events leading to the shooting, including collecting evidence and conducting interviews. Throughout the process, investigative findings will be shared with the District Attorney General for his further review and consideration. The TBI acts solely as fact-finders in its cases and does not determine whether the actions of an officer were justified in these types of matters. That decision rests with the District Attorney General requesting TBI’s involvement. 

The TBI does not identify the officers involved in these types of incidents and instead refers questions of that nature to the respective department to answer as it sees fit.

Any available updates on this investigation will be posted online at TBINewsroom.com. 

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