Memphis Safe Task Force reports 10,000 arrests, 1,708 firearms seized
Memphis Safe Task Force reports 10,000 arrests and 1,708 firearms seized in nine months of operations.
Event / Security
Memphis Safe Task Force Shooting
Tennessee National Guard members fatally shot 20-year-old Tyrin Johnson during a foot pursuit in downtown Memphis. Johnson was armed with a handgun and turned toward the guardsmen with his weapon. The incident occurred during operations by the Trump administration's Memphis Safe Task Force, deployed since October 2025 to combat violent crime. The shooting is under investigation by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, while civil liberties groups have raised concerns about the task force's practices.
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2026-08-16 to 2026-11-13 · UTC publication dates
Coverage begins 5 Jul, 22:53 UTC
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What happened
National Guard soldiers fatally shoot 20-year-old during Memphis foot chase
Two National Guard soldiers shot and killed 20-year-old Tyrin Johnson during a foot chase around 4 a.m. on July 6 near the intersection of Ida B. Wells Avenue and Union Avenue in downtown Memphis. Memphis police were pursuing Johnson, who was allegedly armed with a handgun, when National Guard soldiers on patrol joined the pursuit. During the chase, Johnson turned his weapon toward the Guard members, prompting them to discharge their weapons, striking and killing him. No law enforcement officers were injured in the incident.
Memphis reports significant decline in citywide crime following task force deployment
City figures show an approximately 40% reduction in citywide crime year-over-year and a nearly 35% drop in crime in the downtown area following the deployment of the Memphis Safe Task Force.
Memphis Safe Task Force reports 10,000 arrests and 1,708 firearms seized in nine months
The Memphis Safe Task Force, launched in September under a Trump executive order, reported making more than 10,000 arrests and seizing 1,708 firearms as of June 10. The operation aimed to curb violent crime through hyper-vigilant policing, aggressive prosecution, complex investigations, financial enforcement, and large-scale saturation of neighborhoods with law enforcement personnel.
Additional officer-involved shootings reported in Memphis involving task force
The National Guard shooting was at least the fourth officer-involved shooting in Memphis involving the Memphis Safe Task Force. Task force members were involved in two shootings in May and one in October, with investigations ongoing by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation.
Tennessee Bureau of Investigation opens inquiry into National Guard shooting
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation opened an investigation into the fatal shooting at the request of District Attorney General Steve Mulroy. The investigation was examining the circumstances that led to the National Guard soldiers firing on Tyrin Johnson.
ACLU of Tennessee demands independent investigation of National Guard shooting
The ACLU of Tennessee Executive Director Miriam R. Namath called for a full, transparent, and independent accounting of the National Guard shooting. Namath described the Memphis Safe Task Force as having an ironic name following the incident and characterized the shooting as part of a deeply concerning pattern involving federal agents in multiple fatal incidents.
Trump administration deploys National Guard to multiple Democratic-led cities
The Trump administration ordered, authorized, or sought to deploy the National Guard to at least six Democratic-led cities, including Los Angeles, Washington, Memphis, Portland, New Orleans, and Chicago, as part of an initiative to address violent crime.
Trump administration maintains 6,500 National Guard troops deployed across U.S. cities
Approximately 1,472 National Guard troops remain deployed in Memphis and 120 in New Orleans as part of President Trump's ongoing deployment initiative. An additional 5,000 Guard troops, mostly from Republican-led states, continue operations in Washington, D.C. All troops are deployed under Title 32 orders, meaning movement is controlled by governors but funding is provided by the federal government. The deployments were made under an executive order aimed at curbing violent crime in U.S. cities.
State Representative Justin Pearson calls for end to Memphis Safe Task Force
State Representative Justin Pearson, a Democrat running for U.S. House, issued a video statement calling the National Guard shooting unacceptable and calling on Memphis Mayor Paul Young to end the city's cooperation with the task force. Pearson characterized the deployment as a racist project by the Trump administration targeting Democratic-led cities and called for investment rather than occupation.
Local Memphis politicians demand transparency following National Guard shooting
State Senator London Lamar and other Memphis local lawmakers called for rapid investigation and transparency regarding the National Guard shooting. They expressed concerns about the guardsmen's rules of engagement and requested that body camera and surveillance video be made public. State Senator Raumesh Akbari and Senate Democratic Caucus Chairwoman London Lamar demanded a clear accounting of the circumstances surrounding Tyrin Johnson's death.
Memphis residents file federal lawsuit challenging National Guard recording restrictions
In May 2026, four Memphis residents filed a pending federal lawsuit seeking to block the Memphis Safe Task Force from enforcing a law that bars residents from approaching within 25 feet of law enforcement officers to record their activities. Represented by the American Civil Liberties Union, the residents alleged that task force members have engaged in a pattern of retaliating against them for filming operations, including following them in unmarked vehicles and conducting surveillance at their homes.
Tennessee appeals court overturns injunction blocking National Guard deployment in Memphis
In April 2026, the Tennessee Court of Appeals overturned a temporary injunction that had blocked the deployment of National Guard troops in Memphis. Democratic state and local officials had sued to block the deployment, arguing it violated the Tennessee Constitution's limits on when and how the governor can deploy the state's military forces. The appeals court decision allowed the federal operation to continue.
Memphis violent crime rates decrease in 2025 before National Guard deployment
Memphis police reported decreases in some crime categories in 2025, preceding the National Guard deployment that began in October. Both Democratic and Republican officials noted the crime reductions, which also parallel trends across U.S. cities. Memphis has historically had one of the highest violent crime rates in the country according to FBI data.
Tennessee National Guard members fatally shoot armed man in downtown Memphis
Two Tennessee National Guard members assigned to the Memphis Safe Task Force fatally shot 20-year-old Tyrin Johnson during a foot pursuit in downtown Memphis around 4 a.m. on Sunday. The guardsmen were responding with local police to reports of gunshots when they encountered Johnson, who was armed with a handgun. According to Memphis Police, Johnson turned toward the National Guard members with his weapon before they opened fire, striking and killing him. Johnson was pronounced dead at the scene after National Guard medical specialists attempted first aid.
Tennessee Bureau of Investigation opens investigation into fatal shooting by National Guard
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) is investigating the circumstances of the shooting at the request of Shelby County District Attorney Steve Mulroy. TBI agents are working to independently determine the series of events leading to the shooting, including collecting evidence and conducting interviews.
Trump administration deploys National Guard to six Democratic-led cities including Memphis
The Trump administration has deployed National Guard troops to six Democratic-run cities to combat crime, including Memphis, New Orleans, and Washington D.C. The Memphis Safe Task Force, comprising federal and local agencies, was established by the Trump administration and began operations in October. The deployments are expected to cost taxpayers more than $1 billion in 2026, according to the Congressional Budget Office.
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2 alternative perspectives
Memphis officials demand accountability after National Guard fatal shooting
Memphis officials demand accountability and investigation following National Guard fatal shooting; calls grow to disband the task force.
Court clears National Guard deployment path amid Memphis shooting aftermath
Tennessee court allows National Guard deployment in Memphis despite resident lawsuits over recording restrictions.
National Guard shoots armed man in downtown Memphis investigation launched
National Guard fatally shoots armed man in Memphis; TBI launches investigation.