CRIME
Son Of Nashville Police Chief, Wanted For Shooting Two Officers, Found Dead Tuesday Night
La Vergne Police Department
The estranged son of Nashville’s police chief, suspected of shooting two police officers over the weekend, was found dead Tuesday night from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound, authorities said.
After pursuing investigative leads in the search for John Drake Jr., authorities responded to a location in the 1400 block of 15th Avenue South. There, responding officers heard a muffled gunshot from an outbuilding and subsequently found Drake deceased from what appears to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound,” the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation said in a statement late Tuesday.
According to Metro Nashville Police spokesman Don Aaron, Drake Jr. carjacked a couple at gunpoint outside their home on Antioch Pike on Tuesday. Officers later spotted the gold Chrysler 200 at the intersection of Thompson Lane and Patricia Drive and initiated a pursuit.
The pursuit continued to the area of Edgehill, where Drake Jr. crashed near 15th Avenue South. From there, he fled on foot to the outbuilding where a gunshot was heard.
Drake Jr., 38, was wanted on suspicion of shooting two La Vergne police officers on Saturday. The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation added him to the state’s most wanted list on two counts of attempted first-degree murder, and issued a statewide blue alert late Saturday.
La Vergne Police Chief Christopher Moews said at a Saturday press conference that two of his officers were investigating a report of a stolen vehicle when they encountered Drake Jr. “They struggled with that subject, and during that struggle, the suspect produced a handgun and fired shots, Moews said.
Both officers were transported to the Vanderbilt University Medical Center. One was shot in the shoulder and the other was shot in the groin and arm, Moews said. One of the officers was released Saturday night, while the second remained in stable condition.
Metro Nashville Police Chief John Drake confirmed his estranged son was the suspect.
“I am shocked and deeply saddened to learn that my estranged son, with whom I have had very minimal contact over many years, is the suspect in this afternoons shooting of the two La Vergne police officers,” Drake said Saturday.
“Despite my efforts and guidance in the early and teenage years, my son, John Drake Jr., now 38 years old, resorted to years of criminal activity and is a convicted felon,” the chief said. “He has not been a part of my life for quite some time.”
Following the news of his son’s death on Tuesday, the elder Drake issued another statement, thanking officers for their efforts.
“I am grateful to the members of law enforcement, including many officers from this department, who worked diligently since Saturday to locate my son and bring him into custody, Drake said. It was my prayer that no harm would come to him or anyone else. I am heartbroken and saddened by the outcome. I appreciate the condolences and kind words of support as my family and I privately mourn our loss.”
TMX contributed to this article.
