Tennessee National Guard soldiers shot and killed 20-year-old Tyrin Johnson early Sunday morning near AutoZone Park, according to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI).
The shooting remains under investigation by the TBI. The agency said Memphis police officers pursued a man armed with handgun at nearly 4 a.m. Sunday. The man had 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,” the TBI said. “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 now working to determine the series of events leading to the shooting, collecting evidence, and conducting interviews. The findings will be shared with the Shelby County District Attorney General’s Office.
“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,” the agency said in a statement. “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.”
The Tennessee Military Department issued this statement Sunday morning:
“At approximately 3:56 a.m. this morning, Memphis Police officers supported by Tennessee National Guard Military Policemen assigned to the Memphis Safe Task Force responded to a shots-fired call in the area of Ida B. Wells Avenue and Gayoso Avenue, in Memphis.
“During the response, the Tennessee Guardsmen were involved in a shooting with an armed, male suspect. The Guardsmen discharged their weapons. Immediately following the incident, two Tennessee National Guard medical specialists provided first aid, however, the armed male was pronounced deceased at the scene.
“We are working closely with our law enforcement partners, and the Tennessee Bureau of Investigations, and will provide additional information as it becomes available.”
