Son of Nashville Police Chief, Suspected in Shooting of Two Officers, Found Deceased Following Vehicle Pursuit

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John Drake Jr., the estranged 38-year-old son of Nashville’s Police Chief, was discovered dead due to an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound after leading authorities on a car chase in a vehicle he had stolen, according to official reports.

Law enforcement agencies had been on the lookout for Drake Jr. since the previous Saturday, following the shooting of two police officers in the vicinity of a Dollar General store in La Vergne, a city approximately 20 miles southeast of Nashville.

Metro Nashville Police spokesperson Don Aaron stated that on Tuesday night, Drake Jr. forcibly seized a vehicle at gunpoint in an area southeast of downtown Nashville. He had initially requested a ride from a man and a woman outside their residence. When they either could not or would not accommodate his request, Drake Jr. brandished a firearm and took possession of the car parked in their driveway.

Subsequently, officers located the stolen vehicle and pursued it to the Edgehill neighborhood, situated to the south of downtown Nashville. The car eventually crashed, and Drake Jr. took refuge in a shed situated behind a residential property. As law enforcement officers encircled the location, a gunshot was audible, Aaron reported.

Upon inspection, authorities found Drake Jr. dead, suffering from what appeared to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound, according to a statement from the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation. At the request of District Attorney Glenn Funk, the bureau will spearhead the investigation into Drake’s death, which will include a comprehensive autopsy.

John Drake Jr., who was sought for two counts of attempted first-degree murder, is the son of Metro Nashville Police Department Chief John Drake. In a statement issued last Saturday, Chief Drake confirmed that his son was the individual suspected in the recent shooting incident. He also stated that his son had been estranged from him for an extended period and had a history of criminal behavior.

Officers Ashely Boleyjack and Gregory Kern were initially investigating a vehicle theft near the Dollar General store when they encountered the suspect. A physical altercation ensued, during which Drake Jr. drew a handgun and shot both officers. La Vergne Police Chief Christopher Moews reported that both officers received treatment and were subsequently released from Vanderbilt University Medical Center.

Chief Moews extended gratitude to all law enforcement personnel involved in Tuesday’s events for their “unwavering commitment and diligence in resolving this case,” adding that their thoughts and prayers remain with Chief Drake and his family.

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More about Nashville Police Chase

• Official Statement from Metro Nashville Police Department
• Tennessee Bureau of Investigation Press Release
• WSMV-TV News Report
• Statement from District Attorney Glenn Funk
• Vanderbilt University Medical Center Update on Officers’ Condition
• La Vergne Police Department Official Statement
• Social Media Update from La Vergne Police Chief Christopher Moews