--- title: "Autopsy: National Guard shot armed man in back, contradicting police" publication: "MediaBias News" url: "https://mediabias.news/politics/autopsy-national-guard-shot-armed-man-in-back-contradicting-police" api: "https://mediabias.news/api/v1/stories/autopsy-national-guard-shot-armed-man-in-back-contradicting-police" markdown: "https://mediabias.news/politics/autopsy-national-guard-shot-armed-man-in-back-contradicting-police.md" audio: "https://mediabias.news/api/audio/autopsy-national-guard-shot-armed-man-in-back-contradicting-police" category: "Politics" area: "United States" published: "2026-08-28T14:45:59.365Z" source_reported: "2026-08-28T12:31:05.098Z" updated: "2026-08-28T14:45:59.365Z" trust_score: 50 critic_score: 60 hype_score: 20 assessment_type: "coverage-and-source-reporting-analysis" fact_check_status: "not-performed" coverage_measured: "2026-08-28T16:45:11.450736+00:00" --- # Autopsy: National Guard shot armed man in back, contradicting police *An autopsy report indicates Tyrin Johnson was shot from behind, differing from initial accounts.* **Scores for the source reporting** (0-100, assessing the original journalism this article was written from, not this write-up): - Trust 50 of 100, higher is better. The central claim is attributed to an autopsy report and the Associated Press, with two full reports providing details. - Craft 60 of 100, higher is better. The reporting clearly separates facts from comment and includes quotes from affected parties and officials. - Hype 20 of 100, lower is better. The language used is measured and proportionate, with headlines accurately reflecting the article content. Scored by MediaBias News; method at https://mediabias.news/methodology. **The short version** - An autopsy report indicates Tyrin Johnson, 20, was fatally shot in the back by Tennessee National Guard members in Memphis. - This finding contradicts initial police accounts stating Johnson was facing the troops when they fired. - The National Guard members were assigned to the federal Memphis Safe Task Force. - Johnson's family stated the guard members had no justification to shoot him in the back. An autopsy report indicates that Tyrin Johnson, a 20-year-old armed man, was fatally shot in the back by Tennessee National Guard members in Memphis. This finding contradicts initial police accounts that stated Johnson was facing the troops when they fired. The National Guard members were assigned to the federal Memphis Safe Task Force. Authorities had initially stated that Johnson was running from law enforcement and turned toward guard members with a gun when he was shot. However, the autopsy report, prepared by the West Tennessee Regional Forensic Center Office of the Medical Examiner, shows a single bullet entered the right side of his back and exited his upper right chest. This trajectory is consistent with him running away from the shooter, according to a forensic pathologist who reviewed the report. The autopsy also noted the absence of soot or gunpowder stippling around the wound, suggesting the shot was fired from more than three feet away. The manner of death was listed as homicide, a classification used when a death is caused by another person's actions. Johnson's family has stated that the guard members had no justification to shoot their grandson in the back. An attorney for the family noted inconsistencies between law enforcement's narrative and the autopsy findings. ## Conflicting accounts of the shooting Initial police accounts stated that Tyrin Johnson turned toward guard members with a gun while running from them before he was shot. The Tennessee National Guard report indicated that two members responded to a radio call, approached the suspect, who then "rounded on them and pointed a tan handgun at them," leading both troops to fire their weapons. However, an "investigative narrative" within the autopsy report, based on an account from a Tennessee Bureau of Investigation agent, also states Johnson was turning toward law enforcement with a gun. In contrast, the autopsy itself shows a bullet wound in the back, which Johnson's family attorney stated does not match the law enforcement narrative. ## What the coverage left out None of the left-rated, centre-rated, or right-rated reports mentioned the specific number of National Guard members involved in the shooting, nor did they detail the specific training received by those members. The right-rated report did not include statements from Tennessee State Senators London Lamar and Raumesh Akbari, nor did it mention the age of one of the guard members involved. ## Who covered it Shares of the 29 covering outlets with a published leaning rating: - Left: 45% (13) - Centre: 52% (15) - Right: 3% (1) 1 of 30 covering outlets carried no usable leaning rating and were excluded from those percentages. Coverage measured 2026-08-28T16:45:11.450736+00:00. **Coverage watch:** developing. Checked 10 times; 0 checks found a material change. Most recently checked 2026-08-28T17:15:17.192Z. ## How the sides framed it ### Left - Left-rated reports led with the autopsy finding that Tyrin Johnson was shot in the back, directly contradicting initial police accounts. These reports highlighted the discrepancy between the autopsy and law enforcement's statements, quoting Johnson's family and their attorney expressing concern over the inconsistencies. Several reports mentioned the National Guard members were assigned to a federal anti-crime task force created by President Donald Trump. Some also noted that the task force had been involved in other fatal shootings. Tennessee State Senators London Lamar and Raumesh Akbari were quoted calling for transparency and accountability, with Senator Akbari questioning how a man could be shot in the back while allegedly turning toward his shooters. ### Centre - Centre-rated reports also focused on the autopsy revealing Tyrin Johnson was shot in the back, contrasting this with initial police statements. These reports featured comments from Johnson's family and their attorney, who questioned the inconsistencies in the official account. Several outlets mentioned that the Shelby County Medical Examiner ruled Johnson's death a homicide. Some reports included statements from Tennessee State Senators Lamar and Akbari, who expressed disappointment and called for explanations regarding the shooting. The fact that one of the guard members involved was 19 years old was also noted in some reports. ### Right - The right-rated report led with the autopsy finding that Tyrin Johnson was shot in the back, noting this contradicted accounts from law enforcement. It stated that authorities had said the troops fired after Johnson turned toward them with a gun. The report mentioned that the autopsy was prepared by the West Tennessee Regional Forensic Center Office of the Medical Examiner. **Provisional coverage gap:** right. The watch is not closed, so this is not yet a settled blindspot finding. ## Factuality profile of the covering outlets These are published factuality ratings of the outlets, not a verdict on whether this story or its claims are true. - veryLow: 1 - mixed: 1 - high: 16 - unknown: 2 - veryHigh: 10 ## Verification scope This page compares coverage and scores the source reporting. It is not a ClaimReview verdict on whether the underlying event or claim is true. ## Original reporting this was written from - [Newser](https://newser.com/story/395471/autopsy-national-guard-fatally-shot-armed-man-in-the-back.html) — Autopsy: National Guard Shot Armed Man in Back - [The Record](https://troyrecord.com/2026/08/28/autopsy-tennessee-national-guard-fatal-shooting) — Autopsy shows Tennessee National Guard fatally shot 20-year-old armed man in the back - [Newsweek](https://newsweek.com/who-is-tyrin-johnson-autopsy-says-national-guard-shot-him-in-the-back-12379813) — Who Is Tyrin Johnson? Autopsy says national guard shot him in the back - [CNN](https://cnn.com/2026/08/28/us/autopsy-tennessee-national-guard-tyrin-johnson-memphis) — Autopsy shows Tennessee National Guard fatally shot 20-year-old armed man in the back - [WTVR](https://wtvr.com/us-news/autopsy-shows-tennessee-national-guard-fatally-shot-20-year-old-armed-man-in-the-back) — Autopsy shows Tennessee National Guard fatally shot 20-year-old armed man in the back - [KJRH](https://kjrh.com/us-news/autopsy-shows-tennessee-national-guard-fatally-shot-20-year-old-armed-man-in-the-back) — Autopsy shows Tennessee National Guard fatally shot 20-year-old armed man in the back - [NBC Dallas-Fort Worth](https://nbcdfw.com/news/national-international/tennessee-national-guard-fatally-shot-armed-man-back-autopsy/4069445) — Autopsy shows Tennessee National Guard fatally shot 20-year-old armed man in the back - [KPAX](https://kpax.com/us-news/autopsy-shows-tennessee-national-guard-fatally-shot-20-year-old-armed-man-in-the-back) — Autopsy shows Tennessee National Guard fatally shot 20-year-old armed man in the back - [KTVQ](https://ktvq.com/us-news/autopsy-shows-tennessee-national-guard-fatally-shot-20-year-old-armed-man-in-the-back) — Autopsy shows Tennessee National Guard fatally shot 20-year-old armed man in the back - [The Independent (US)](https://the-independent.com/news/world/americas/tyrin-johnson-national-guard-shooting-autopsy-b3040823.html) — Autopsy exposes contradiction in fatal shooting by Trump-deployed National Guard - [cedarnews.net](https://cedarnews.net/newstasks/951984/autopsy-shows-tennessee-national-guard-fatally-shot) — Autopsy shows Tennessee National Guard fatally shot 20-year-old armed man in the back - [The Toronto Star](https://thestar.com/news/world/united-states/autopsy-shows-tennessee-national-guard-fatally-shot-20-year-old-armed-man-in-the-back/article_985e5452-cb03-51ad-9f63-7c87acb746a3.html) — Autopsy shows Tennessee National Guard fatally shot 20-year-old armed man in the back - [The Record](https://therecord.com/news/world/united-states/autopsy-shows-tennessee-national-guard-fatally-shot-20-year-old-armed-man-in-the-back/article_7895acc9-fdd1-54ee-927f-574dff2a4db9.html) — Autopsy shows Tennessee National Guard fatally shot 20-year-old armed man in the back - [St Catharines Standard](https://stcatharinesstandard.ca/news/world/united-states/autopsy-shows-tennessee-national-guard-fatally-shot-20-year-old-armed-man-in-the-back/article_e14ed50c-4ec6-5a18-b828-5597a4db92c2.html) — Autopsy shows Tennessee National Guard fatally shot 20-year-old armed man in the back - [The Seattle Times](https://seattletimes.com/nation-world/nation/autopsy-shows-tennessee-national-guard-fatally-shot-20-year-old-armed-man-in-the-back) — Autopsy shows Tennessee National Guard fatally shot 20-year-old armed man in the back - [Newsday](https://newsday.com/news/nation/memphis-national-guard-tyrin-johnson-p71917) — Autopsy shows Tennessee National Guard fatally shot 20-year-old armed man in the back - [The Independent](https://independent.co.uk/news/memphis-donald-trump-medical-examiner-democratic-tennessee-bureau-of-investigation-b3040751.html) — Autopsy shows Tennessee National Guard fatally shot 20-year-old armed man in the back - [Associated Press News](https://apnews.com/article/memphis-national-guard-tyrin-johnson-8959297a99c362d65aa2517a9d5f1984) — Autopsy shows Tennessee National Guard fatally shot 20-year-old armed man in the back - [Marietta Daily Journal](https://mdjonline.com/news/national/autopsy-shows-tennessee-national-guard-fatally-shot-20-year-old-armed-man-in-the-back/article_e6cb0656-bde7-5a71-a78b-952772605851.html) — Autopsy shows Tennessee National Guard fatally shot 20-year-old armed man in the back - [Ottumwa Courier](https://ottumwacourier.com/news/national_news/autopsy-shows-tennessee-national-guard-fatally-shot-20-year-old-armed-man-in-the-back/article_2431712e-fdd7-5326-bff8-c5b517cd7a3c.html) — Autopsy shows Tennessee National Guard fatally shot 20-year-old armed man in the back - [Local 3 News](https://local3news.com/local-news/tennessee/autopsy-shows-tennessee-national-guard-fatally-shot-20-year-old-armed-man-in-the-back/article_988ef251-33e4-5d7b-a118-aabb3e51da75.html) — Autopsy shows Tennessee National Guard fatally shot 20-year-old armed man in the back - [The Northern Virginia Daily](https://nvdaily.com/associated_press_national/autopsy-shows-tennessee-national-guard-fatally-shot-20-year-old-armed-man-in-the-back/article_631f34e8-a8a5-5025-90ce-d9dc73f1d3f6.html) — Autopsy shows Tennessee National Guard fatally shot 20-year-old armed man in the back - [The Times-Tribune](https://thetimestribune.com/news/national_news/autopsy-shows-tennessee-national-guard-fatally-shot-20-year-old-armed-man-in-the-back/article_478ffb2e-8b25-5aba-8c99-f4aa2ebf06fa.html) — Autopsy shows Tennessee National Guard fatally shot 20-year-old armed man in the back - [Daily News-Record](https://dnronline.com/associated_press/national/autopsy-shows-tennessee-national-guard-fatally-shot-20-year-old-armed-man-in-the-back/article_c5515765-1bae-5735-98d2-0a437347cb7f.html) — Autopsy shows Tennessee National Guard fatally shot 20-year-old armed man in the back - [Action News 5](https://actionnews5.com/2026/08/28/family-lawyer-speaks-after-autopsy-report-shows-national-guard-shot-memphis-man-back) — Family lawyer speaks after autopsy report shows National Guard shot Memphis man in the back - [nowgeorgia.com](https://nowgeorgia.com/autopsy-shows-tennessee-national-guard-fatally-shot-20-year-old-armed-man-in-the-back) — Autopsy shows Tennessee National Guard fatally shot 20-year-old armed man in the back - Now Georgia - [The Hamilton Spectator](https://thespec.com/news/world/united-states/autopsy-shows-tennessee-national-guard-fatally-shot-20-year-old-armed-man-in-the-back/article_9923fc40-6be3-59c4-a3c8-f6a969a134af.html) — Autopsy shows Tennessee National Guard fatally shot 20-year-old armed man in the back - [The Daily Memphian](https://dailymemphian.com/article/66076/memphis-national-guard-downtown-tyrin-johnson-july-2026) — Man killed by National Guard was shot in back, autopsy reveals - [Winnipeg Free Press](https://winnipegfreepress.com/world/2026/08/27/autopsy-shows-tennessee-national-guard-fatally-shot-20-year-old-armed-man-in-the-back) — Autopsy shows Tennessee National Guard fatally shot 20-year-old armed man in the back - [USA Today](https://usatoday.com/story/news/crime/2026/08/27/tyrin-johnson-memphis-national-guard-shooting-autopsy/91494200007) — Man killed by National Guard in July was shot in back, autopsy shows ## Questions **What did the autopsy report reveal about Tyrin Johnson's shooting?** The autopsy report indicated that Tyrin Johnson, a 20-year-old armed man, was fatally shot in the back by Tennessee National Guard members in Memphis. This finding directly contradicted initial police accounts that stated Johnson was facing the troops when they fired. **What was the initial police account of the shooting?** Authorities initially stated that Tyrin Johnson was running from law enforcement and turned toward guard members with a gun before he was shot. A Tennessee National Guard report also indicated that the suspect "rounded on them and pointed a tan handgun at them" before troops fired. **What is the significance of the autopsy ruling the death a homicide?** The ruling of homicide means that the death was caused by the actions of another person. This classification is typically used in such cases and does not inherently imply intent or legal culpability, but it signifies that the death was not self-inflicted or accidental. --- MediaBias News — https://mediabias.news. Reproduced from https://mediabias.news/politics/autopsy-national-guard-shot-armed-man-in-back-contradicting-police. Please cite as: MediaBias News, "Autopsy: National Guard shot armed man in back, contradicting police", https://mediabias.news/politics/autopsy-national-guard-shot-armed-man-in-back-contradicting-police