A state investigation is underway after members of Tennessee’s National Guard shot and killed a 20-year-old man in downtown Memphis on Sunday morning, while they were patrolling the streets as part of a task force created by President Donald Trump.Subscribe to read this story ad-freeGet unlimited access to ad-free articles and exclusive content.The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation identified the man killed as Tyrin Johnson, 20.According to the bureau, which is conducting the investigation, the Tennessee National Guard soldiers involved in the shooting are assigned to the Memphis Safe Task Force.The task force, which includes several federal agencies, local police and the Guard, was formed in September via a Trump declaration.Memphis is one of several Democratic-led cities where Trump has deployed federal forces to further his immigration and anti-crime agendas.TBI spokesperson Kim Wheeler-Elder said Monday that the ongoing investigation was requested by the state’s attorney general’s office.
TBI declined further comment because of the ongoing nature of the probe.NBC News also has reached out to the Memphis Police Department.The White House referred all questions about the investigation of the shooting to the U.S.Marshal’s office, which speaks for the task force.White House spokeswoman Abigail Jackson said the task force in Memphis and Washington, D.C.
has led to drops in crime, removal of dangerous criminals from the streets, recovery of missing children, confiscation of illegal weapons and more.Tyrin Johnson, provided by his grandfather Evaniel Johnson.Evaniel Johnson via APAccording to TBI’s preliminary investigation, early Sunday morning Memphis police were chasing, on foot, a man armed with a handgun, who had reportedly fired shots.National Guard soldiers nearby joined the pursuit, TBI said in a statement.“For reasons under investigation, the situation escalated, resulting in two National Guard soldiers firing upon Johnson, striking and killing h...