The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) is investigating a fatal officer-involved shooting that occurred early Sunday morning in downtown Memphis involving Tennessee National Guard soldiers assigned to the Memphis Safe Task Force.
According to TBI, the shooting occurred at approximately 4 a.m. near the intersection of Ida B. Wells Avenue and Union Avenue. The Memphis Police Department (MPD) said its officers had responded at approximately 3:56 a.m. to reports of shots fired in the area of Ida B. Wells Avenue and Gayoso Avenue.
DEVELOPING: 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. https://t.co/K9rH7YRs9M
— Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (@TBInvestigation) July 5, 2026
MPD said officers encountered several individuals leaving the area before spotting an armed man carrying a handgun. The man, who has since been identified by the TBI as 20-year-old Tyrin Johnson, fled on foot, prompting a pursuit by MPD officers with assistance from Tennessee National Guard soldiers.
TBI said Johnson reportedly fired shots in the area before the pursuit.
During the chase, MPD said Johnson turned toward National Guard troops while armed with the handgun. Two National Guard soldiers then fired their weapons, striking Johnson. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
The state law enforcement agency said its agents are conducting an independent investigation into the circumstances surrounding the shooting at the request of Shelby County District Attorney General Steve Mulroy.
Memphis Mayor Paul Young issued a statement to WKRN News 2 following the incident, noting that all Fourth of July events across the city concluded safely and that the shooting occurred after the celebrations had ended.
He acknowledged the TBI’s investigation into the shooting, adding, “[W]e will allow that process to conclude before making additional comments.”
The shooting comes just over two months after the Tennessee Court of Appeals cleared the way for the continued deployment of National Guard troops supporting the Memphis Safe Task Force.
Since the launch of the Memphis Safe Task Force in September 2025, Memphis officials have continued to report significant declines in violent crime.
During a recent Memphis City Council meeting, Memphis Police Chief CJ Davis said homicides were down 44 percent, and motor vehicle thefts had fallen 62 percent through the first half of 2026 compared to the same period last year. Officials have also reported more than 10,000 arrests by agencies participating in the task force since its inception.
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Kaitlin Housler is a reporter at The Tennessee Star and The Star News Network.
Photo “Crime Scene Tape” by Tony Webster. CC BY-SA 4.0.
