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Autopsy says Memphis National Guard shot Tyrin Johnson in the back

The medical examiner found Tyrin Johnson, 20, was shot once in the back on July 5. Family and critics say that undercuts the task-force account that he turned and pointed a gun; TBI says its investigation is still open.

An autopsy of Tyrin Johnson, 20, found a single bullet entered the right side of his back and exited his upper right chest after Tennessee National Guard members on the Memphis Safe Task Force shot him in downtown Memphis in the early hours of July 5. Authorities had said he turned toward the troops with a gun. A forensic pathologist who reviewed the report for AP said the upward trajectory was consistent with running away. Johnson's grandfather and lawyer called for video and accountability. TBI said the investigation remains open and no charges have been filed. The death was classified as homicide, a term that does not by itself establish a crime.

Shared facts

The Shelby County medical examiner says Tyrin Johnson was shot in the back.

The National Guard shot and killed him.

The autopsy report shows a different account of what happened.

The autopsy said a single bullet went through the right side of Tyrin Johnson's back and exited the upper right chest.

Memphis police said Johnson turned to face the officers, and that is when Guard members fired.

Johnson died in the early morning hours of July 5.

Tyrin Johnson was 20 years old.

Authorities said he was fatally shot in the chest.

The medical examiner ruled his death a homicide.

The shooting was in downtown Memphis.

The man killed was Tyrin Johnson.

The Guard members were on a Memphis patrol President Trump created last year.

The shooting was in Memphis.

Two Guard members were involved.

Authorities said officers responding to gunfire spotted an armed man leaving near Beale Street.

Police said they spotted Johnson with a gun.

A Guard report said he rounded on them and pointed a tan handgun at them.

The National Guard, part of the Memphis Safe Task Force, joined the pursuit.

Memphis police said officers responding to a shots-fired call spotted Johnson with a gun and gave chase.

Evaniel Johnson said they shot him in the back and should be transparent.

Memphis police originally said officers responding to a shots-fired call spotted Johnson with a gun and gave chase.

Police said they pursued an armed man who was fleeing on foot.

The West Tennessee Regional Forensic Center medical examiner prepared the autopsy.

Evaniel Johnson said if his grandson caused no threat there was no reason to kill him.

Dr. Steven White said the slightly upward trajectory would be consistent with Johnson running away from the shooter.

Wharton said the story is inconsistent with the initial allegations and does not add up.

That prompted both to fire their service weapons.

The Memphis task force was involved in four fatal shootings between May and July.

He said he wants someone held responsible.

The autopsy was shared with Johnson's family.

It said he drew a firearm and was shot after officers saw the weapon.

The trajectory was slightly upward.

It said officers shot him, striking him once in the chest.

The report found no soot, stippling, or muzzle imprint.

He said they will never bring his grandson back.

That indicated the shot was not fired at close range.

The narrative said Johnson reached toward his waistband.

The administration has described those cities as crime-ridden.

Those cities include other Democrat-run cities.

TBI told Action News 5 the shooting is still under investigation.

Wharton said the autopsy findings reinforce serious concerns about the shooting.

Wharton said being shot in the back, contrasted with official accounts, underscores the encounter.

The autopsy said Johnson was carrying a handgun magazine containing rounds.

Sens. Lamar and Akbari called for transparency at the beginning of the investigation.

An investigative narrative in the autopsy, based on a TBI agent, gives a different account.

No criminal charges have been filed.

White was not involved in the autopsy but reviewed the findings for AP.

He is a former correctional officer with the Davidson County Sheriff's Office in Nashville.

The family has called for authorities to release surveillance footage and other evidence from the shooting.

Homicide on an autopsy means a death caused by another person and does not by itself establish a crime.

His grandfather said the family has not been shown video of the moments immediately before the shooting.

Wharton said possessing the magazine and ammunition was not itself illegal under Tennessee law.

Trump sent Tennessee National Guard troops to Memphis to combat crime.

The Memphis Guard deployment drew a mixed response, a lawsuit, and no widespread protests.

BBC News

Autopsy shows National Guard fatally shot Memphis man in the back

Brandon Drenon

28 Aug 2026

Facts

The bullet pierced his lung.

Johnson's family is calling for accountability after the autopsy.

The National Guard did not immediately respond to the BBC.

TBI said it did not distribute reports that Johnson turned and pointed a gun at Guardsmen.

Tennessee law allows legal gun owners to openly carry.

Rep. Justin Pearson said Johnson should be alive today and called for an investigation.

Wharton shared the autopsy with the BBC.

Opinion

Pearson called Johnson's death a murder and a horrifying example of task-force brutality.

Pearson said the National Guard is not welcome in Memphis.

CNN

Autopsy shows Tennessee National Guard fatally shot 20-year-old armed man in the back

Associated Press

28 Aug 2026

Facts

Evaniel Johnson said Guard members had no justification to shoot his grandson in the back.

Two Guard members answered a Memphis police radio call, left their vehicle, and approached the suspect.

The Commercial Appeal reported the autopsy findings earlier.

White said Johnson was likely shot from more than 3 feet away.

The medical examiner's office did not respond to a request for comment.

They fired M17 handguns.

Memphis police arrived shortly after, the Guard report said.

AP has a pending request for a copy of Johnson's autopsy from the Shelby County medical examiner.

Opinion

No opinion marked.

The Independent

Autopsy exposes glaring contradiction in fatal shooting by Trump-deployed National Guard

The Independent

28 Aug 2026

Facts

Evaniel Johnson said the findings deepen the family's concerns about the shooting.

Opinion

No opinion marked.

Newsweek

Who Is Tyrin Johnson? Autopsy Says National Guard Shot Him in the Back

Newsweek

28 Aug 2026

Facts

The report described the trajectory as back to front, slightly upward and toward the right.

The task force brings together local, state, and federal resources.

Wharton said the family will keep advocating for Johnson's rights and demanding transparency.

Wharton invoked the 63rd anniversary of Martin Luther King Jr.'s I Have a Dream speech.

TBI said there is nothing else it can share at this time.

Newsweek contacted the Tennessee National Guard, Memphis Police, and the Shelby County Medical Examiner's Office for comment.

Johnson attended Tennessee State University from August 2023 through May 2024.

His grandfather said he hoped Johnson would return to school and take a larger role in the family's real estate business.

Opinion

Newsweek said if Johnson turned while holding or pointing a firearm, the autopsy alone would not establish the shooting was unlawful.

Newsweek said if Johnson was running away and never turned, the physical evidence could undermine the deadly-force account.

Newsweek said the key unanswered question is what Johnson was doing immediately before he was shot.

Military.com

Tennessee National Guard Members Shot 20-Year-Old Armed Man in Back, Autopsy Shows

Katherine Plummer

28 Aug 2026

Facts

Military.com dated the shooting to July 4.

Memphis police said the Guard responded to gunshot reports around 4 a.m.

Johnson died at the scene.

Johnson's family disputed that account.

AP cited TBI data that at least three people have died in four shootings by officers tied to the federal task force.

They asked TBI to release any available video as soon as it can without jeopardizing the investigation.

The administration also ordered Guard deployments in New Orleans, Washington, D.C., and other Democratic-run cities.

CBO said the deployments cost nearly $500 million through December and are expected to cost more than $1 billion this year.

Opinion

The deployments have caused controversy and protests by people who say the cities are safe and the actions are a federal overreach.

Action News 5

Family lawyer speaks after autopsy report shows National Guard shot Memphis man in the back

Joyce Peterson and Stuart Rucker

27 Aug 2026

Facts

Wharton said the family is processing the autopsy and awaiting action by the district attorney.

Memphis police said officers gave chase after spotting Johnson with a gun.

Sen. Lamar said National Guardsmen have contributed to the homicide rate they were sent to reduce.

Sen. Akbari said the autopsy tells a different story than what the public was told and demands an explanation.

Sen. Lamar said she hopes those responsible are held accountable according to the law.

Sen. Akbari said one of the Guard members who fired was 19, too young to be a Memphis police officer.

Sen. Lamar sent Action News 5 a statement after the autopsy results.

Wharton said basic police training teaches officers they cannot shoot someone in the back.

Johnson was a new father who lived in Nashville and came to Memphis for the Fourth of July.

What training the Tennessee National Guard members had is not known.

A spokesperson said DA Steve Mulroy will decide how to proceed once TBI findings are finalized.

Sen. Akbari issued a statement.

Gov. Bill Lee's office did not respond to a request for comment.

Opinion

Akbari said an approach that increases tension and leaves families without answers is a threat to public safety.

Akbari said these details erode public trust and that trust is not unlimited.

Akbari said leaders overseeing the task force must assess whether the deployment is achieving its mission.

Akbari said the facts must be established, made public, and allowed to guide what happens next.

Sen. Lamar offered condolences to the family.

Wharton said you have to be consistent with the Constitution and cannot shoot somebody dead just to stop them.