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Two Tennessee National Guard members fatally shot a 20-year-old man in Memphis on Sunday after he was found with a handgun, according to investigators.
Tyrin Johnson was killed by soldiers who were on assignment as part of President Trump’s Memphis Safe Task Force, deployed by Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee (R).
“Preliminary information indicates the shooting happened at approximately 4:00 AM ET near the intersection of Ida B. Wells Avenue and Union Avenue,” the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation said in a statement.
“Memphis police officers had been engaged in a foot pursuit of a man armed with a handgun, identified as 20-year-old Tyrin Johnson, who reportedly fired shots in the area,” the bureau added.
Two National Guard medical specialists attempted first aid, Lt. Col. Darrin Haas, a spokesperson for the guard, told The Associated Press.
Terracle Nelson, Johnson’s cousin, said authorities informed the family that he was shot twice in the chest, the wire reported.
National Guard soldiers first started patrolling Memphis in October.
Federal data shows the city experienced 40.6 homicides per 100,000 residents last year. It had 2,501 violent crimes per 100,000 people, according to data from the FBI.
Local leaders said the numbers reflected a lower number over the past two years.
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