Thursday, January 16, 2025, 9:25PM |  28°
MENU
SECTIONS
OTHER
CLASSIFIEDS
CONTACT US / FAQ
Advertisement
Nashville police Chief John Drake speaks March 29. Chief Blake's estranged son, who was recently identified as a suspect in the shooting of two police officers outside a Dollar General store in La Vergne, Tenn., was found dead Tuesday night, officials said.
3
MORE

Nashville police chief's son, wanted in the shooting of 2 officers, found dead after car chase

Wade Payne/Associated Press

Nashville police chief's son, wanted in the shooting of 2 officers, found dead after car chase

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The estranged son of Nashville’s police chief, who was wanted in the shooting of two police officers, was found dead of a self-inflicted gunshot wound after leading police on a chase in a stolen car, authorities said.

Nashville police Chief John Drake issued a statement on Wednesday thanking officers for working to locate his son after John Drake Jr., 38, was accused of shooting and wounding two officers in nearby La Vergne on Saturday.

“It was my prayer that no harm would come to him or anyone else,” the elder Drake said. “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.”

Advertisement

Metro Nashville Police spokesman Don Aaron said in a news conference on Tuesday night that the younger Drake had stolen a car at gunpoint from a home southeast of downtown around 6 p.m. Drake asked a man and woman in front of a home for a ride and when they were unable or unwilling to give him a ride, he pulled out a gun and demanded the car in the driveway, Mr. Aaron said.

Officers spotted the car a short time later and followed it to the Edgehill area south of downtown, where it crashed. Drake fled to a shed behind a home and when officers surrounded the area, a gunshot was heard, Mr. Aaron said.

Officers found Drake dead with a gunshot wound that was apparently self-inflicted, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation said in a statement posted on social media. TBI will investigate Drake’s death at District Attorney Glenn Funk’s request and a full autopsy will be performed as a part of the investigation, the agency said.

Drake had been wanted on two counts of attempted first-degree murder. The chief issued a statement Saturday confirming his son was the suspect in the shooting. He said his son has not been part of his life for some time.

Advertisement

In a statement posted on social media, La Vergne Police Chief Christopher Moews thanked all the officers involved in Tuesday night's pursuit for their “steadfastness and dedication to seeing this case through” and said their prayers are with Chief Drake and his family.

Nashville Mayor Freddie O'Connell released a statement calling the younger Drake's death “a tragic end.”

“Our heart goes out to Chief Drake and his family at this difficult time,” he said.

First Published: October 25, 2023, 5:33 p.m.

RELATED
SHOW COMMENTS (1)  
Join the Conversation
Commenting policy | How to Report Abuse
If you would like your comment to be considered for a published letter to the editor, please send it to letters@post-gazette.com. Letters must be under 250 words and may be edited for length and clarity.
Partners
Advertisement
Quarterback Kenny Pickett, left, the Pittsburgh Steelers first-round NFL football draft pick, poses for a photo with president/owner Art Rooney II at the team's training facility in Pittsburgh, Friday, April 29, 2022.
1
sports
Joe Starkey: Steelers offense in disrepair thanks to series of misguided, arrogant decisions
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson (3) and Cleveland Browns quarterback Jameis Winston (5) embrace after an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024, in Pittsburgh.
2
sports
Steelers officially in the market, but QB names don't exactly jump off the page
Pittsburgh Penguins goaltender Tristan Jarry (35) makes a save during the first period of an NHL hockey game against the Florida Panthers, Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2024, in Pittsburgh.
3
sports
Penguins’ Tristan Jarry clears waivers, will report to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton
Neil Gaiman arrives at the Art of Elysium Heaven Gala on Jan. 6, 2024, at The Wiltern Theater in Los Angeles.
4
opinion
David Mills: Did Neil Gaiman abuse women, and if so, how could he do such a horrible thing?
Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin looks on before a game against the Cowboys at Acrisure Stadium on Sunday, Oct. 6, 2024, in Pittsburgh.
5
sports
Brian Batko’s Steelers mailbag: With Mike Tomlin staying, what should the front office do now?
Nashville police Chief John Drake speaks March 29. Chief Blake's estranged son, who was recently identified as a suspect in the shooting of two police officers outside a Dollar General store in La Vergne, Tenn., was found dead Tuesday night, officials said.  (Wade Payne/Associated Press)
FILE - These images provided by the City of La Vergne shows La Vergne Police Officers Ashely Boleyjack and Gregory Kern. The estranged son of Nashville’s police chief, who was wanted in the shooting of two police officers outside a Dollar General store, has been found dead, authorities said. (City of La Vergne via AP)  (ASSOCIATED PRESS)
This photo provided by the Nashville Police Department shows John C. Drake Jr. Police in Tennessee were searching Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023 for the estranged son of Nashville's police chief as the suspect in the shooting of two police officers outside a Dollar General store. Drake Jr. is the son of Metro Nashville Police Department Chief John Drake. (Nashville Police Department via AP)  (ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Wade Payne/Associated Press
Advertisement
LATEST news
Advertisement
TOP
Email a Story