National Guard members conducting patrol operations in Memphis fatally shot a man during a pursuit, according to local police. The shooting occurred as Guard troops were deployed in the city as part of an ongoing effort to supplement law enforcement amid concerns about violent crime.

Memphis police confirmed the incident but have not released extensive details about the events leading up to the confrontation or the identity of the man who was killed. Investigations into use-of-force incidents involving National Guard personnel typically involve both military and civilian law enforcement oversight.

The deployment of National Guard troops in a domestic law enforcement capacity has drawn scrutiny from civil liberties advocates, who warn that military personnel are not trained in the same community policing standards as local officers. The fatal shooting is likely to intensify that debate.

Memphis has been the site of elevated law enforcement activity following a series of high-profile violent incidents. The city authorized the use of National Guard patrols as a supplemental public safety measure, a move that has been both praised by some residents and criticized by others who question the appropriateness of military involvement in civilian policing.

Officials have not yet released information about the race of the man who was fatally shot or specific details about what prompted the pursuit. Community groups and oversight organizations are expected to call for a full and transparent investigation into the circumstances of the shooting.