Johnson family lawyer Andre Wharton says law enforcement's account is inconsistent with the autopsy
Andre WhartonAttorney for Tyrin Johnson's family, speaking to the AP
Wharton tells the AP that the account given by law enforcement, that Johnson turned toward the Guard members with a gun, does not match an autopsy that found a single bullet wound in his back.
Responding to
Tyrin Johnson turned on the two Tennessee National Guard members who were chasing him and pointed a handgun at them before they fired.
“I just see some kind of blatant inconsistency there, in terms of what law enforcement reports”
Reporting
Other statements by Andre Wharton in this case
- After the video release, Andre Wharton says Johnson was running away when he was shotLater: Challenged the characterization
Where this statement fits
Tennessee Guard report says Tyrin Johnson pointed a gun before troops shot him; the autopsy found the bullet entered his back
Two Tennessee National Guard members on Memphis Safe Task Force patrol shot and killed Tyrin Johnson, 20, on July 5, 2026, after he ran from police with a handgun. A Guard report says he pointed a gun at them, while the autopsy found a single bullet entered his back. Videos released by the district attorney in November do not show the shooting, and the TBI investigation continues.
Source and context
Reporting
About this source
The AP reports the autopsy findings shared by Johnson's family, the Guard report's account that Johnson pointed a handgun at the troops, a forensic pathologist's reading of the wound's path, and comments from Johnson's grandfather and the family's lawyer.
Archived copy (opens in a new tab)Before the quotation
The AP reports that an autopsy report shared by Johnson's family found that a single bullet went in the right side of his back and exited through his upper right chest, while a Tennessee National Guard report says Johnson "rounded on them and pointed a tan handgun at them."
After the quotation
The AP reports that Wharton also said it was not illegal in Tennessee for Johnson to carry the handgun magazine found with him.
How this statement is classified
The label describes this statement's response within the context above.
Why this label?
The reference point is the July 5, 2026 fatal shooting of Tyrin Johnson by two Tennessee National Guard members and the official account that he pointed a gun at them. Wharton disputes the official account by pointing to the autopsy finding that Johnson was shot in the back, a challenge to how authorities described the shooting.
- Recorded on
- Published here
- People and groups discussed
- Tennessee National Guard
More from this case
Read the full caseSen. London Lamar says Guard members sent to reduce homicides have contributed to the homicide rate
“This is disheartening to hear considering their purpose in being in Memphis is to reduce homicide and now National Guardsmen have contributed to the homicide rate. I hope those responsible are held accountable according to the law.”Read statement
Sen. Raumesh Akbari says the autopsy tells a different story than what the public was told
“This autopsy tells a different story than what the public was told and that demands an explanation.”Read statement
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- Johnson family lawyer Andre Wharton says law enforcement's account is inconsistent with the autopsy
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The Dispute Index. "Johnson family lawyer Andre Wharton says law enforcement's account is inconsistent with the autopsy". First published: 2026-11-08. Last updated: 2026-11-08. https://disputeindex.com/events/8421-wharton-tells-the-ap-that-the-account-given