Second person in 4 days is fatally shot in Memphis by federal task force member

Key Points:

• A federal crime-fighting task force member in Memphis fatally shot a person on Wednesday during a drug warrant operation, marking the second fatal shooting by the unit in four days and the fourth since the task force began in September.
• The shooting occurred after U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration agents attempted to serve a warrant and the suspect refused to open the door; the suspect was reportedly killed after pointing a handgun at agents, though the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) is still investigating the exact circumstances.
• The Memphis Safe Task Force, created under President Trump to deploy federal agents and National Guard troops to cities with high crime rates, has been active in Memphis with Tennessee National Guard support since last fall.
• This recent shooting follows another fatal incident on Sunday involving Tennessee National Guard members assigned to the task force, where 20-year-old Tyrin Johnson was killed during a pursuit; his family is demanding the release of video evidence.
• Since September, the TBI has recorded at least four deaths linked to the task force, including shootings by DEA and Homeland Security agents, all currently under investigation by the TBI.