Official accounts told one story. The autopsy told another. When 20-year-old Tyrin Johnson was shot and killed by Tennessee National Guard members during a foot chase in Memphis, initial narratives claimed he turned toward troops with a weapon. But medical reports paint a starkly different picture.
The autopsy shows a single bullet entered the right side of Johnson's back and exited through his upper right chest, contradicting early statements from law enforcement.
If you are trying to understand what actually happened on that July morning in downtown Memphis, you have to look past the initial press releases. The gap between official summaries and medical evidence reveals major questions about transparency, accountability, and the use of lethal force by military units deployed on domestic anti-crime task forces.
What the Autopsy Report Actually Found
The autopsy report, obtained by media outlets including the Associated Press, shatters the narrative that Johnson was facing the guardsmen when they opened fire.
Dr. Steven White, a certified forensic pathologist who reviewed the autopsy findings, noted that the bullet's slightly upward trajectory through Johnson's body is consistent with someone running away from a shooter. Furthermore, the report confirmed there was no soot, gunpowder stippling, or muzzle imprint around the entry wound. This indicates Johnson was shot from a distance greater than three feet, rather than in close-quarters confrontation.
Toxicology screens showed no positive findings of drugs or alcohol in his system.
Despite these medical findings, the investigative narrative compiled by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation relied on accounts suggesting Johnson grabbed his waistband and drew a firearm before being struck in the chest.
The Clashing Accounts and the Search For Accountability
Andre Wharton, an attorney representing the Johnson family, pointed out the blatant inconsistencies. Law enforcement versions and medical findings simply do not match.
The shooting occurred in the early morning hours following the Fourth of July holiday near Beale Street, involving members of the Tennessee National Guard assigned to a federal anti-crime task force. Two guard members left their vehicle, pursued Johnson, and discharged their M17 service weapons.
For the family of Tyrin Johnson, the medical examiner's classification of the death as a homicide only compounds the pain. His grandfather, Evaniel Johnson, a former correctional officer, has demanded transparency and accountability, noting that running away from authorities does not justify lethal force if no immediate threat is posed.
Local advocacy groups, including the Memphis branch of the NAACP, have seized on the autopsy results to question the oversight of military task forces operating in urban environments. To date, no criminal charges have been filed, and state investigators maintain that the case remains open and active.
Watch Family of man killed by TN National Guard speaks out after autopsy to see statements from the family regarding the autopsy findings.
