2 fatal shootings in Memphis draw scrutiny of federal crime task force

MEMPHIS - State authorities are investigating two fatal shootings in Memphis that occurred within days of each other, involving members of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and the Tennessee National Guard who are deployed in the city as part of a federal crime-fighting task force.

The latest shooting happened on July 8 at a hotel in East Memphis, where DEA agents were attempting to serve a drug warrant, a spokesperson for the U.S. Marshals Service confirmed to The Memphis Commercial Appeal, part of the USA TODAY Network. A man, who was later identified as Alfonso Ivy, 47, was shot and killed by agents after allegedly pointing a handgun at members of the Memphis Safe Task Force.

"For reasons still under investigation, the situation escalated, resulting in a DEA agent firing into a room, striking a man and killing him," the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation said in a statement.

The investigation comes as the city is also grappling with questions surrounding a separate fatal shooting involving two Guard members, who fatally shot 20-year-old Tyrin Johnson during a pursuit in downtown Memphis over the July Fourth weekend.

The DEA agents and members of the Guard are in the city as part of the Memphis Safe Task Force, established by the Trump administration to combat crime in Memphis. There have been four fatal shootings involving the task force since it started in late September 2025.

Drug Enforcement Administration shooting at East Memphis hotel

The DEA shooting occurred at around 8:30 a.m. local time on July 8 at an Extended Stay America hotel, as a Memphis Safe Task Force team was attempting to serve an arrest warrant "on a wanted fugitive facing felony drug charges."

According to the Marshals Service, officers made a forced entry into the building after verbally communicating with the suspect and asking him to exit. During the encounter, the suspect allegedly pointed a handgun at members of the task force, who then shot and killed the suspect.

Officers rendered first aid to the suspect until emergency medical personnel arrived, the Marshals Service said. No officers were injured in the incident.

The incident drew a heavy law enforcement presence to the hotel, with around 20 marked and unmarked law enforcement vehicles surrounding the perimeter, The Commercial Appeal reported. All hotel entrances were also temporarily blocked off.

On July 9, the state investigation bureau identified the suspect as Ivy. A spokesperson for the bureau also confirmed the agency was investigating the circumstances leading to the shooting at the request of Shelby County District Attorney Steve Mulroy.

Tennessee National Guard shooting remains under scrutiny

Johnson was fatally shot on July 5 by two members of the Guard during a pursuit in downtown Memphis, according to authorities.

The Memphis Police Department said officers responded to a "shots-fired call" in the area shortly before 4 a.m. local time. After arriving at the scene, police said, officers saw several people leaving the area and "observed an armed male carrying a handgun."

Johnson allegedly fled on foot and was pursued by officers along with Guard members who were assigned to the area, according to police. During the pursuit, police said Johnson turned toward the Guard members with his weapon.

"For reasons under investigation, the situation escalated, resulting in two National Guard soldiers firing upon Johnson, striking and killing him," the state investigation bureau said in a statement. "No law enforcement officers were hurt in the incident."

Johnson had "reportedly fired shots in the area," the agency said. Guard spokesperson Lt. Col. Darrin Haas said two Guard medical specialists attempted first aid, but Johnson was pronounced dead at the scene.

Mulroy previously confirmed to The Commercial Appeal that he called state investigators to look into the shooting. The incident quickly drew public attention and prompted calls for a transparent investigation. The grandfather of Johnson told The Associated Press that he wanted answers about the circumstances that led to Johnson's death.

"Show me the video," Evaniel Johnson told AP. "Please show me that - and then I'm OK. Until you show me that, I'm gonna fight and advocate for my grandson until there's no breath in me."

National Guard deployment in Memphis

Last year, President Donald Trump deployed Guard troops and federal agents to Democrat-led cities, such as Los Angeles, Washington, DC, Chicago, Portland, Oregon, and Memphis. The Trump administration cited crime and protests as reasons for the deployments, despite objections from local leaders.

The Guard has been in Memphis since October 2025. Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee, a Republican, had welcomed the federal intervention; Memphis Mayor Paul Young, a Democrat, said he did "not support" deploying the Guard.

Guard members, clearly distinguished by their military fatigues, have been seen throughout downtown Memphis on patrols and directing traffic during events. They have also been seen securing crime scene perimeters throughout the city.

The Guard's deployment to Memphis has been subject to a lawsuit filed by a group of Democratic officials at the local and state level. A Davidson County Chancery Court judge initially granted a temporary injunction against the deployment, but it was struck down by a panel of appellate judges.

The temporary injunction would have required the Guard to withdraw from Memphis pending the outcome of the case. Since the appellate court removed it, the lawsuit has been stagnant.

The shootings this week come after a DEA agent fatally shot a 41-year-old man in May. A week later, a Homeland Security Investigations special agent shot and killed a 25-year-old man.

Contributing: N'dea Yancey-Bragg, USA TODAY; Joel Haley and Lucas Finton, Memphis Commercial Appeal

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 2 fatal shootings in Memphis draw scrutiny of federal crime task force

Reporting by Thao Nguyen and Jack Armstrong, USA TODAY NETWORK / USA TODAY

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This story was originally published July 9, 2026 at 10:12 PM.