- Tennessee National Guard members assigned to a federal anti-crime task force in Memphis fatally shot an armed 20-year-old man in the back, according to an autopsy report obtained by the Associated Press, contradicting police accounts that said the man was facing the troops when they fired.
- According to the autopsy report shared by Johnson’s family, a single bullet went in the right side of his back and exited through his upper right chest.
- The manner of death is listed as 'homicide'; no criminal charges have been filed to date.
- Family attorney Andre Wharton states that the law enforcement narrative does not match the autopsy findings.
- Senate minority leader Raumesh Akbari is calling for an explanation, stating that the autopsy tells a different story than what the public was told.
- The guard members were assigned to the Memphis Safe Task Force, created by Donald Trump, as the US president last year sent troops and federal agents to Democratic-run cities that he described as overrun with crime.
- According to a Tennessee National Guard report, two guard members responded to the Memphis police radio call, left their vehicle, and approached the suspect, who 'rounded on them and pointed a tan handgun' at them.
- Both troops fired their service weapons, M17 handguns, and Memphis police arrived shortly after.
- The bullet had a slightly upward trajectory through Johnson’s body, indicating he was likely running away from the shooter, according to Dr. Steven White, a certified forensic pathologist.
- The report indicated there was no soot, gunpowder stippling or muzzle imprint around the wound, suggesting Johnson was likely shot from more than three feet away.
An autopsy report indicates that Tyrin Johnson, a 20-year-old man, was shot in the back by Tennessee National Guard members, contradicting police claims that he was facing them. The report states a single bullet entered his right back and exited through his upper right chest, suggesting he was running away.12
According to Dr. Steven White, a forensic pathologist, the bullet's trajectory indicates Johnson was likely shot from more than three feet away, as there was no soot or gunpowder stippling around the wound. “That would be consistent with him running away from the shooter,” White noted.
Johnson's family, represented by attorney Andre Wharton, argues that the law enforcement narrative does not align with the autopsy findings. “I just see some kind of blatant inconsistency there, in terms of what law enforcement reports,” Wharton stated, emphasizing the discrepancies.4
The manner of death is classified as “homicide,” but this designation does not imply intent or lead to legal consequences. No charges have been filed against the guard members involved, and the investigation remains open. “This autopsy tells a different story than what the public was told,” said Senate minority leader Raumesh Akbari, calling for accountability.35
Johnson was reportedly carrying a handgun magazine, which is legal in Tennessee, and his family has yet to see any video evidence of the incident.
“The autopsy found a single bullet entered Johnson's right back and exited his upper right chest, with no soot or stippling, indicating he was shot from more than three feet away. Family attorney Andre Wharton called the law enforcement narrative 'blatantly inconsistent,' and Senate minority leader Raumesh Akbari demanded an explanation.”
The Guardian
