Who is John C Drake? Nashville police chief launches manhunt on his own son
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE: John C Drake Jr, the 38-year-old estranged son of Nashville Police Chief John Drake, has been accused of shooting two on-duty police officers in La Vergne.
On Saturday, October 21, Drake Jr apparently opened fire at the officers during a scuffle at the Dollar General in the 600 block of Stones River Road.
The cops were reportedly pursuing a possible stolen vehicle when they began interrogating one person, later identified as Drake Jr, who allegedly pulled out a gun and shot both officers, Fox News reported.
They were immediately rushed to Vanderbilt University Medical Center, where they remain in stable condition.
Authorities noted that one of the cops, who has been with the department for about three years, was shot in his left shoulder, while the other officer, who has been serving for a year and a half, was shot in the right groin and right forearm.
Since then police issued a shelter-in-place order, stating that Drake Jr, who is yet to be found, was believed to be armed and dangerous.
La Vergne Police Chief Chris Moews described the 38-year-old as a 5 ft 11 in (180 cm) man with a muscular build, facial hair, and dreadlocks.
He was last seen wearing a black T-shirt with a white hockey mask emblem on the front with red lettering and gray pants.
John C Drake Jr’s lengthy history of crime
Records from Davidson County's Criminal Court Clerk (CCC) indicate that John C Drake Jr has a lengthy criminal history that began in 2005, having faced 59 criminal charges in Davidson County since then.
He was first arrested on October 31, 2005, on charges of stealing $500 or less, as reported by WSMV. However, the case was dismissed on August 3, 2006, a little less than a year later.
CCC records show that on January 29, 2009, he was found guilty of aggravated rape on a lower offense. He has since been found guilty of three separate sex offender violations.
Drake Jr has also been found guilty of the charges, including domestic bodily injury, aggravated burglary, assault of domestic bodily injury, and possession or casual exchange, among many more.
How did the Nashville Police Chief react to the accusation against his son?
Reflecting on the accusations against his son, Metropolitan Nashville Police Chief John Drake expressed that he is "shocked and deeply saddened" after learning that John C Drake Jr "is the suspect in this afternoon’s shooting of the two La Vergne police officers."
He also noted that he has had "very minimal contact" with his son over many years.
"My thoughts and prayers are with the two officers, who I understand are now in stable condition at Vanderbilt," said the chief in a statement.
He added, "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."
"He has not been a part of my life for quite some time. He now needs to be found and held accountable for his actions today. I hope that anyone who sees him or has information about him will contact law enforcement immediately," concluded the chief.