Autopsy shows National Guard fatally shot Memphis man in the back

August 28, 2026

Twenty-year-old Tyrin Johnson was fatally shot by Tennessee National Guard members in Memphis on July 5th, with an autopsy revealing he was struck in the back rather than the chest as authorities initially claimed. The autopsy contradicts official accounts that stated Johnson faced guard members with a gun before being shot frontally, though investigators noted he reached for his waistband and was carrying a handgun magazine. Johnson's family is demanding transparency and accountability for his death, which occurred during operations by the Memphis Safe Task Force—a federal initiative deploying National Guard troops to Democrat-led cities under President Trump's crime-fighting agenda.

Who is affected

Tyrin Johnson (20-year-old victim, deceased)
Johnson's family, including grandfather Evaniel Johnson (former Nashville correctional officer)
Tennessee National Guard members involved in the shooting
Memphis residents and community members
Memphis Safe Task Force personnel
Tennessee State Representative Justin Pearson

What action is being taken

The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation is conducting an active and ongoing investigation into the shooting
Johnson's family lawyer Andre Wharton is representing the family regarding the shooting circumstances
Tennessee State Representative Justin Pearson is calling for an investigation

Why it matters

This case highlights significant concerns about the use of military forces in domestic policing operations and the accuracy of official accounts following police-involved shootings. The contradiction between the autopsy findings (shot in the back) and initial official statements (shot in the chest while facing officers) raises questions about transparency and accountability in law enforcement. The incident also reflects broader tensions surrounding the federal deployment of National Guard troops to Democrat-led cities under a crime-fighting initiative, with local officials questioning whether such military presence improves or compromises public safety.

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: BBC