Federal Agent Kills Suspect During Memphis Drug Warrant Execution

A member of a federal crime-fighting task force in Memphis shot and killed a person on Wednesday during the execution of a drug warrant at a hotel. The incident occurred around 8:30 a.m. while U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration agents were serving a warrant out of Shelby County. The man was inside a hotel room and refused to open the door, prompting agents to force entry.

Details of the Shooting A U.S.

Marshals Service news release stated the man was killed after pointing a handgun at task force members. A later release from the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation said only that the situation escalated, resulting in a DEA agent firing into the room and killing the man. No law enforcement officers were injured. The DEA team included at least one local Memphis Police Department officer.

The Memphis Safe Task Force was created last year by President Donald Trump to place National Guard troops and federal agents in certain cities. Tennessee National Guard troops have been serving in Memphis as part of the task force since last fall. In the early hours of Sunday morning, two Guardsmen fatally shot 20-year-old Tyrin Johnson after they said he turned toward them with a gun during a downtown pursuit.

The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation is examining both shootings and will forward its findings to the local district attorney general.