Memphis federal agent shooting: Bodycam footage released

Body camera footage has been released regarding the May 2025 shooting death of 25-year-old Jonah Neal in his Memphis, Tennessee, home. The footage, captured from the perspective of a second agent, shows federal agents responding to a 911 call placed by Neal's mother, who stated her son was experiencing a mental health crisis and needed help.

According to attorney Andre Wharton, who represents the Neal family, the video indicates that Neal did not pose an imminent threat justifying deadly force. The footage reportedly shows agents at the apartment's front door while Neal was at a significant distance. Wharton noted that one agent can be heard stating that Neal was wielding a knife rather than a firearm, yet a second agent opened fire seconds later.

The agent involved was part of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), a division of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). This federal task force was deployed to Memphis at the direction of President Trump and Tennessee Governor Bill Lee. Wharton described the agents' response as “out of proportion with what they were facing” and “inconsistent with good law enforcement.”