20-Year-Old Killed by National Guard in Memphis

A 20-year-old man is dead after a shooting involving members of the Tennessee National Guard in Memphis.

In this episode of The Only One Mic Podcast, we examine the official reports, Tyrin Johnson's family's statement, and the unanswered questions surrounding the case.

We break down what is known, what remains under investigation, and why transparency matters.

What questions do you think still need to be answered? Share your thoughts in the comments, and please keep the discussion respectful.

Transcript

Why This Case Matters

SPEAKER_00 0:22

My dog behind every investigation is a family waiting for answers in a community trying to understand what happened and make it make sense. Such is the case we have a 20-year-old man who is dead after being shot by the Tennessee National Guard in downtown Memphis. Police have released their version of the events, and the family is asking for answers. Welcome to the Only One Mike Podcast. I'm your host, Carl Gerard, and the investigation is now in the hands of the Tennessee Bureau of Investigations. Now, we're not going to form an opinion, we're not going to tell you what to think. We're going to walk through what has been reported, what the family has said, and what investigators have confirmed. So you can hear the facts for yourself.

What Police Say Happened

SPEAKER_00 1:03

So let's start with what we know. Tyron Johnson, who was 20 years old, was shot and killed during the early morning hours of Sunday, July 5th in downtown Memphis following 4th of July celebrations. According to the Memphis Police Department, members of the Tennessee National Guard assigned to the Memphis Safe Task Force responded to reports of gunfire. Police said they encountered Tyron, who allegedly fled on foot. According to the Memphis police, Johnson turned toward the National Guard members while holding a handgun. Police said two National Guard members then fired their weapons, striking Johnson. National Guard personnel provided medical aid at the scene, and unfortunately, Tyron was pronounced dead from his injuries. As the investigators continue reviewing the circumstances regarding this shooting, Tyron's family has been asking for more information and more transparency. Tyron's grandfather, Evan L. Johnson, has publicly called for the release of any available body camera footage, surveillance video, or other evidence connected to the shooting. He has said that the family wants to see the evidence and understand exactly what happened during those final moments. Now I'm going to play a clip of Mr. Johnson's grandfather explaining his concerns about this investigation.

Grandfather Challenges The Narrative

SPEAKER_01 2:28

She called me crying. That's the problem that I have with it. You know, he's not a huller. He had a great spirit. He's a good child. It's a narrative here. You know, he's not a gunman. He was protecting himself and he was in the process of being jumped. At the same time, people came to him. He didn't go to anybody. I don't have all the clear understanding. The TBI said they're going to come in and do a thorough investigation. And all I asked the TBI is, and from my heart, is that be open with it. I don't want nothing hid. Because me being in law enforcement once before, I understand the process of how it works. And I understand that there's videos everywhere. So when we're going to look at this, we need to look at all the videos before we make decisions. I wouldn't, I don't think that he turns around. If you're running for your life, and you think people suit at you, you ain't finna why would you turn around? You running. So you're trying to get away from what you feel like that is dangerous. So you're not going to just turn around and then stop. No, I don't, I don't believe that. So until you show me that on paper, make it make sense to me that my grandson turned around, engaged, and fired you, and then y'all took him out. I don't believe that. Now, if that's the case, then I'll shake your hand and say he shouldn't have done that because that's just part of life.

SPEAKER_00 3:53

Now, those were the concerns shared by Tyron's grandfather as the family continues to seek

What TBI Confirms So Far

SPEAKER_00 3:58

answers. The family described Tyron as a young father, a former Tennessee State University student, an aspiring musician, and someone preparing to become involved in the family's construction and real estate business. The Tennessee Bureau of Investigations is leading the investigation into the shooting and have confirmed that Mr. Johnson fled and that the two National Guard members fired their weapons. As of now, investigators have not publicly released additional details about what happened in the moments immediately before the shooting. According to Johnson's family, investigators informed them that he was shot twice in the chest. Authorities have not publicly released the body camera footage, the surveillance video, or the identities of the two National Guard members involved. No independent eyewitnesses has publicly released any detailed account of the shooting, and the investigation remains active as authorities continue reviewing evidence and gathering information.

Unanswered Questions About Evidence

SPEAKER_00 4:54

Now there's some questions that still remain, y'all. What additional evidence will investigators release as the case move forward? Is there body camera or surveillance footage available? And if so, when will it be released? And what information will the investigation reveal about the moments leading up to the shooting? And also how will authorities balance the need for transparency with protecting an active investigation? As more information becomes available, I'll continue following this case and bring you the latest verified

Share Your Questions And Subscribe

SPEAKER_00 5:24

updates. Now I want to hear from you all. After hearing the facts that have been released so far, what questions do you still think need to be answered? Share your thoughts in the comments, but keep the conversation respectful. The goal of this is to understand the facts, hear the different perspectives, and have a discussion rooted in information and not assumptions. And if you found this update helpful, please subscribe to the Only One Might Podcast. Share this episode with someone you value who values, I should say, information informed conversations. And I'll see you on the next one, y'all. It's called Gerard with the Only One Might Podcast. Signing off. Peace.