Tragic End: Son of Nashville’s Police Chief Found Dead After Shooting of Officers
In a heart-wrenching turn of events, the estranged son of Nashville’s police chief met a tragic end after being sought in connection with the shooting of two police officers. John Drake Jr., aged 38, was discovered deceased from a self-inflicted gunshot wound after leading law enforcement on a harrowing chase in a stolen vehicle.
The ordeal began on a fateful Saturday when two officers were shot and injured outside a Dollar General store in La Vergne, a city located approximately 20 miles southeast of Nashville. The search for John Drake Jr. had been underway since that incident.
Per information from Metro Nashville Police spokesperson Don Aaron, Drake Jr. forcibly took possession of a vehicle at gunpoint from a residence situated southeast of downtown on a Tuesday night. Drake Jr. subsequently approached a man and woman in front of another residence, seeking a ride. When they were unable or unwilling to comply with his request, he brandished a firearm and demanded the vehicle parked in the driveway. Law enforcement officers later spotted the stolen car, leading to a pursuit that concluded in the Edgehill area, south of downtown, where the vehicle crashed. Drake Jr. sought refuge in a shed behind a residence, and as officers encircled the area, a gunshot rang out.
Tragically, officers discovered John Drake Jr. lifeless, having apparently taken his own life with a self-inflicted gunshot wound, as reported by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation in a statement posted on social media.
The statement released on Tuesday by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation read, “After pursuing investigative leads in the search for TBI Most Wanted suspect John Drake, Jr., Law enforcement personnel were dispatched to an address on the 1400 block of 15th Avenue South in Nashville this evening. Upon arrival, the officers heard a suppressed gunshot emanating from a structure on the premises. Inside the outbuilding, they discovered the lifeless body of John Drake Jr., seemingly the result of a self-inflicted gunshot wound. In response to the 20th Judicial District Attorney General Glenn Funk’s request, TBI special agents will conduct an inquiry into Mr. Drake’s demise. A comprehensive post-mortem examination will be conducted as a component of the ongoing investigation.”
John Drake Jr. had been sought on two counts of attempted first-degree murder. Over the weekend, authorities had emphasized the urgency of his apprehension, describing him as “armed and dangerous” and offering a reward of up to $2,500 for information leading to his arrest. Notably, he was the son of Metro Nashville Police Department Chief John Drake, who confirmed on Saturday that his son was the primary suspect in the officers’ shooting. Chief John Drake acknowledged that his son had been absent from his life for an extended period, despite his early efforts and guidance.
The shooting incident occurred as Officers Ashely Boleyjack and Gregory Kern were investigating a stolen vehicle outside the Dollar General store. During a struggle with the suspect, he produced a handgun and fired upon them, according to La Vergne Police Chief Christopher Moews. Fortunately, both officers received medical attention at Vanderbilt University Medical Center and were subsequently released.
In a statement posted on social media, Chief Moews expressed gratitude to all the officers involved in the pursuit, acknowledging their unwavering dedication to resolving the case and conveying their prayers to Chief Drake and his family during this distressing time.
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