MEMPHIS — Tyrin Johnson was shot and killed in an incident involving the Memphis Safe Task Force.

The Tennessee Immigrant and Refugee Rights Coalition condemned the shootings and called for federal accountability regarding the operations of the task force. Selah Torralba is the culture manager with the Tennessee Immigrant and Refugee Rights Coalition. She characterized the unit as a threat to residents going about their daily routines.

"This force is dangerous to our communities who are just trying to work, take their kids to school, put food on the table, and live good lives," Torralba said. She expanded on the scope of the fatalities linked to the task force beyond the two most recent cases.

"There are several people in addition to Tyrin and Alfonso who have been killed by the Memphis Safety Task Force, and one of those individuals reports are coming out now that they were having a mental health crisis and needing care. In an emergency, they lost their life," Torralba said.

The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation states that Alfonso Ivy was shot after allegedly pointing a gun at agents. The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation states that Tyrin Johnson was killed after reportedly firing shots downtown. The Memphis Safe Task Force is a federal and state partnership that includes the Department of Homeland Security.

U.S. Rep. Steve Cohen sent a letter to the DHS secretary demanding answers about enforcement policies and the expansion of federalized operations. The Tennessee Immigrant and Refugee Rights Coalition website provides printable resources and guides in multiple languages on what to do if an agent approaches.

Enforcement data indicates the task force significantly increased arrest volumes in Shelby County during its initial operational period. A 2021 report by the Institute for Public Service Reporting found that the Memphis Safe Task Force was responsible for an increase in ICE arrests in Shelby County in the first days of its operation, largely targeting individuals without criminal records.

Arrest records further show that a minority of these apprehensions involved violent offenses. Between September 2020 and February 2021, the Memphis Safe Task Force conducted a large number of arrests, of which only a quarter were for violent crimes, while the majority were for traffic violations or immigration-related offenses. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement halted pursuits after the two fatal shootings.