Shelby County Prosecutors Release Footage of Memphis Guard Shooting

The Shelby County District Attorney’s Office released bodycam and street camera footage on Monday showing the immediate aftermath of the July 5 fatal shooting of Tyrin Johnson in Memphis. The videos show Tennessee National Guard members pointing their service weapons at Johnson, 20, while he lay on his back on a sidewalk.

Investigators stated that Johnson died at the scene from a single gunshot wound. An autopsy report provided by his family determined the bullet entered his back. This finding conflicts with initial accounts from police and the National Guard, which stated Johnson was facing the troops with a gun when they opened fire.

The released footage does not capture the initial confrontation or the moment the guard members fired. A blurry bodycam video from a Memphis police officer shows the sound of a single gunshot followed by several others. In the footage, guard members are heard shouting commands such as “Hands!” and “Turn over!” while aiming their M17 handguns at the dying man.

A Memphis police officer in the video asks the troops if they have a medical kit. The officer then calls for an ambulance. The video shows at least six guard members on the scene. One guard member moves a handgun lying on the ground until a police officer instructs him to leave it. Another guard member begins cutting off Johnson's shirt as the clip ends.

District Attorney Steve Mulroy said he has not yet decided whether to file criminal charges. The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation continues its probe into the incident. The guard members were part of a federal task force created by President Donald Trump to deploy troops to cities with high crime rates. Governor Bill Lee deployed the National Guard to support that effort. The task force was involved in four fatal shootings between May and July.

André C. Wharton, an attorney for Johnson’s family, noted that the video does not show the moments immediately preceding the shooting. He stated that the investigation must focus on whether the guard member’s decision to fire was reasonable. Evaniel Johnson, the victim’s grandfather, said his grandson was the father of a young child and was preparing to help lead the family’s construction business.

Ed Yarbrough, an attorney representing the two guard members, said they have no comment. A spokesperson for the Tennessee National Guard did not respond to requests for comment via email or phone.