Autopsy: Guard Fatally Shot Memphis Man in Back, Family Says

An autopsy report has revealed that a Tennessee National Guard member fatally shot a 20-year-old man in the back during an incident in Memphis, a finding that contradicts the official account of the shooting.

The report, prepared by the West Tennessee Regional Forensic Center, shows that a single bullet entered the right side of Tyrin Johnson's back and exited through his upper right chest. Authorities had previously stated that Johnson turned toward the Guard members with a gun before being shot in the chest.

The Guard members were assigned to the Memphis Safe Task Force, a federal anti-crime initiative. The task force has been involved in four fatal shootings between May and July.

Johnson's grandfather, Evaniel Johnson, a former correctional officer, said the Guard members had no justification for the shooting. "If he ain't caused you no threat, you know what I'm saying, you have no reason to be killing," he said.

A Tennessee National Guard report states that two members responded to a police radio call about shots fired and approached a suspect who "rounded on them and pointed a tan handgun at them." Both troops fired their service weapons.

However, a forensic pathologist who reviewed the report said the bullet's slightly upward trajectory is consistent with Johnson running away from the shooter. The report also noted the absence of gunpowder stippling, indicating the shot was fired from more than three feet away.

The autopsy's "investigative narrative," based on an account from a Tennessee Bureau of Investigation agent, states Johnson was turning toward law enforcement with a gun. The family's attorney, Andre Wharton, called this a "blatant inconsistency" with the physical findings.

The manner of death is listed as homicide, though no criminal charges have been filed. The TBI says its investigation is ongoing. Johnson's family has requested to see surveillance video of the incident, but says none has been shown to them.