New details have emerged in the investigation into the Memphis National Guard Shooting after an autopsy found that a 20-year-old man who died during a confrontation with National Guard members was shot in the back.
The case remains under investigation as authorities continue to examine the events that led to the fatal shooting in downtown Memphis on July 5.
The man, identified as Tyrin Johnson, died after an encounter involving members of the National Guard and local law enforcement officers. The incident occurred shortly before 4 a.m. when officers responded to reports of gunfire in the downtown area.
According to officials, law enforcement personnel and National Guard members arrived at the scene after receiving reports of shots being fired. Authorities said they observed several people leaving the area and began pursuing an individual believed to be carrying a handgun.
Officials previously stated that Johnson was armed during the encounter. The National Guard reported that he turned toward Guard members while holding a weapon during the foot chase.
However, the newly released autopsy has provided additional information about the fatal injury.
Medical findings show that Johnson suffered a gunshot wound that entered through the right side of his back and exited through the upper right side of his chest. The report found no signs of gunshot residue, soot, or muzzle marks around the wound, indicating that the shot was fired from a distance rather than at close range.
The autopsy determined that the cause of death was a gunshot wound. The manner of death was classified as homicide, a medical term used when one person causes the death of another. Investigators note that this classification does not by itself determine whether a crime occurred.
Authorities previously said that two National Guard members discharged their weapons during the incident. Despite that information, the autopsy documented only one gunshot wound on Johnson’s body.
Investigators have not publicly stated whether Johnson pointed a firearm at the National Guard members before the shooting. Officials have also not released additional details about the moments immediately before shots were fired.
The autopsy report listed several personal items recovered during the examination. Among those items was a handgun magazine containing ammunition. The report did not list a handgun among the recovered belongings.
A toxicology examination was also completed as part of the investigation. The results showed no evidence of drugs or alcohol in Johnson’s system at the time of his death.
The shooting has drawn attention because it involved National Guard personnel operating alongside local law enforcement officers. The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation is leading the review of the case and has not announced any findings regarding the actions of those involved.
The National Guard has maintained a presence in Memphis as part of a federal crime reduction initiative. The operation was established through the Memphis Safe Task Force, a program launched by the Trump administration.
Under the initiative, National Guard members have been deployed to assist with public safety efforts in the city. The mission was created after federal officials cited concerns about crime levels and public security.
National Guard personnel have worked alongside police officers and have also conducted patrols in certain areas. Many of the deployed troops serve as military police and have training focused on military law enforcement and base security operations.
The presence of military personnel in civilian communities has sparked discussion among residents, legal experts, and community groups. Supporters argue that the deployment provides additional resources for crime prevention, while critics have raised questions about the role of military forces in local policing activities.
The Memphis National Guard Shooting remains one of the most closely watched cases connected to the deployment. Investigators are expected to continue reviewing witness accounts, physical evidence, and official reports as they work to determine exactly what happened during the encounter.
For now, the autopsy findings have added a significant new detail to the ongoing investigation, while many questions surrounding the shooting remain unanswered. Authorities have not announced when the investigation will be completed or whether further information will be released.
