John C Drake Jr: Nashville cop's son wanted in shooting of 2 officers kills himself after police chase
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE: The estranged son of Nashville police chief, who was wanted for shooting two officers at a Dollar General store, killed himself after a police chase on Tuesday night, October 24.
John C Drake Jr, 38, had been on the run since Saturday, October 21, when he allegedly shot officers Ashely Boleyjack and Gregory Kern outside the store in La Vergne, Tennessee.
John C Drake Jr shot officers in a scuffle forcing his police chief father to launch a manhunt
The officers were investigating a stolen vehicle when Drake got involved in a scuffle with the officers.
He then pulled out a handgun and fired at them, according to La Vergne Police Chief Christopher Moews.
Drake was the son of Metro Nashville Police Department Chief John Drake who confirmed his son’s involvement in the shooting. However, he had not been part of his life for some time.
“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 in a statement, according to WSMW.
He added at the time, “He now needs to be found and held accountable for his actions.”
How was John C Drake Jr caught?
Following the manhunt on Tuesday night, October 24, Drake asked a man and woman for a ride till a home southeast of downtown Nashville.
When they refused, he pulled a gun on them and stole their car, said Nashville Metro police spokesman Don Aaron.
Officers spotted the stolen gold Chrysler 200 car shortly after and pursued Drake to the Edgehill area south of downtown where he crashed the car and ran into the backyard of a nearby home.
John C Drake Jr killed himself inside the shed
Drake then barricaded himself in a shed behind the home. Officers surrounded the area and heard a gunshot.
They found Drake dead inside the shed with an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound, according to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI).
DEVELOPING: #MostWanted suspect John Drake, Jr. has died from what preliminarily appears to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
— Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (@TBInvestigation) October 25, 2023
TBI special agents will investigate and await a full autopsy report. pic.twitter.com/ZdsHJs7ALB
The TBI said it would investigate Drake’s death at the request of District Attorney Glenn Funk and conduct a full autopsy as part of the investigation.
Both officers who were shot by Drake have been treated and released from Vanderbilt University Medical Center.
Chief Christopher Meows praised the officers who took part in the chase on Tuesday night, October 24, for their "steadfastness and dedication to seeing this case through."
He said he and his colleagues are praying for Chief Drake and his family.
Mayor Freddie O’Connell, according to Daily Mail, also extended his support for the police chief.
He said, "My heart goes out to Chief Drake, his family, and the two wounded LaVergne police officers."
"I know that despite our best efforts — including in their early years — we can’t be responsible for the choices of family members," he added.
"I support Chief Drake and stand by him at this difficult time," he continued.