Memphis Guard Shooting: New Video Conflicts With Initial Accounts

Shelby County District Attorney Steve Mulroy released new video evidence on Monday that shows Tennessee National Guard troops pointing their handguns at Tyrin Johnson as he lay dying on a sidewalk. The footage captures the immediate aftermath of the July 5 shooting in Memphis, where the 20-year-old man died from a single gunshot wound. The release comes as the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation continues its probe into the incident.

The visual record contradicts the initial narrative provided by police and the Guard. An autopsy report obtained by Johnson’s family indicates he was shot in the back. Previous accounts stated that Johnson was facing the soldiers with a weapon when they opened fire. The new materials include body camera footage from a Memphis police officer, stationary street cameras, and a bystander’s cellphone video.

The conflict between the physical evidence and the official report centers on the position of the victim at the moment of impact. While the National Guard stated that Johnson rounded on them and pointed a tan handgun, the body camera footage shows him lying on his back with guards aiming their M17 service weapons at him. The video does not capture the initial encounter or the precise moment the fatal shot was fired.

The troops involved were part of a federal task force deployed by President Donald Trump to support crime reduction efforts in Democrat-run cities. Tennessee Governor Bill Lee had authorized the deployment of Guard units to assist in this operation. Between May and July, this task force was involved in four fatal shootings. The specific incident occurred around 4 a.m. when troops responded to reports of gunshots alongside local police.

Stationary cameras show a person in dark clothing firing shots through an empty parking lot at three pedestrians on a sidewalk. Two Memphis officers heard the gunfire and began running toward the noise. Their radio transmissions described a pursuit of an armed man fleeing on foot. The body camera footage, which is blurry due to movement, captures yelling and the sound of a single gunshot followed by several additional discharges.

A National Guard report obtained via public records request details that two members left their vehicle to approach the suspect. Both soldiers fired their weapons, and Memphis police arrived shortly thereafter. On the scene, guardsmen shouted commands such as “Hands!” and “Turn over!” while maintaining their aim on Johnson. At least six Guard members were present immediately after the shooting.

One guard member can be seen moving a handgun on the ground until a police officer ordered him to stop. Another soldier began cutting off Johnson’s shirt before the footage ended. A police officer on the body camera asked the troops if they had a medical kit after calling for an ambulance. The sequence of actions raises questions about scene management and the handling of evidence in the critical minutes following the shooting.

André C. Wharton, the attorney for Johnson’s family, emphasized that the investigation must focus on the reasonableness of the fatal shot. He noted that the released videos do not show the moments immediately preceding the gunfire. Johnson’s grandfather, Evaniel Johnson, stated that the young man was the father of a small child and was preparing to help lead the family construction business.

District Attorney Steve Mulroy said he has not yet decided whether to file charges in connection with the death. Ed Yarbrough, the attorney representing the two guard members, said they have no comment at this time. A spokesperson for the Tennessee National Guard did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The next step in the legal process remains pending as prosecutors review the newly released visual evidence against the written reports.

The release of the video marks a shift in transparency for the case, providing the public and the defense with concrete visual data from the scene. The investigation will now weigh the autopsy findings and the video evidence against the sworn statements of the soldiers and police officers. The outcome will determine whether the use of force is deemed justified under the circumstances presented in the footage.