After the video release, Andre Wharton says Johnson was running away when he was shot
Andre WhartonAttorney for Tyrin Johnson's family, speaking to WMC Action News 5
After the district attorney released videos of the shooting's aftermath, Wharton asks whether the Guard members faced imminent danger of death or serious injury when they fired, and says Johnson was running away, which he calls critical to the investigation.
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.
“What is absent is that he was running away, and that is critical to this investigation”
Reporting
Other statements by Andre Wharton in this case
- Johnson family lawyer Andre Wharton says law enforcement's account is inconsistent with the autopsyEarlier: 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
WMC Action News 5 describes the four videos, identifies the two Guard members who fired, and reports comments from a former sheriff's captain, the family's lawyer and District Attorney Steve Mulroy.
Before the quotation
WMC Action News 5 reports that Wharton echoed a former sheriff's captain's view that Guard members lack the training needed to patrol city streets. Wharton asks whether the Guard members were facing imminent danger, serious bodily injury or death before Johnson was shot.
After the quotation
WMC Action News 5 reports that there is no word on whether the two Guard members have been suspended, and that the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation is still investigating with no charges filed.
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 questions whether the Guard members faced an imminent threat and says Johnson was running away, a challenge to the account that he turned on them with a gun.
- 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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- After the video release, Andre Wharton says Johnson was running away when he was shot
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The Dispute Index. "After the video release, Andre Wharton says Johnson was running away when he was shot". First published: 2026-11-08. Last updated: 2026-11-08. https://disputeindex.com/events/8424-after-the-district-attorney-released-videos-of-the