Image Credit: @TBInvestigation / X
The Tennessee Conservative Staff –
A three-day manhunt for a man accused of shooting two La Vergne police officers ended on Tuesday night when he was found dead in Nashville.
According to a post by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation on X, John C. Drake was found dead from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Drake was the “estranged son” of Nashville Police Chief John Drake. The chief said he had not been in contact with his son in several years.
Don Aaron, a spokesperson for the Metro Nashville Police Department said that police responded to a call regarding a stolen car in the area of Thompson Place and Patricia Drive. Drake, Jr. allegedly stole the vehicle, which officers later spotted and chased to the Edgehill neighborhood.
“On 15th Avenue South, the car crashed. Drake fled from the vehicle into a shed behind a residence,” Aaron said. “While the officers were surrounding the residence to contain the shed, a gunshot was heard and it appears he has died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.”
A full autopsy will be done as part of the investigation into Drake, Jr.’s death. District Attorney General Glenn Funk has asked the TBI to handle that investigation.
Police had been searching for Drake, Jr. since Saturday after La Vergne officers responded to a call regarding a stolen car at a Dollar General store on River Road.
La Vergne Police Chief Christopher Moews stated, “They made contact with the subject. They struggled with that subject. During that struggle the suspect produced a handgun and fired shots.”
After injuring two officers, Drake, Jr. fled the scene.
Chief Drake says he prayed for a peaceful outcome, and he is “heartbroken and saddened” by the way things turned out.
“I am grateful to the members of law enforcement, including many officers from this department, who worked diligently since Saturday to locate my son and bring him into custody,” Chief Drake stated. “It was my prayer that no harm would come to him or anyone else. I am heartbroken and saddened by the outcome.”
The Chief noted that, despite his best efforts during his son’s childhood and teenage years, his son had chosen a life of crime, racking up a lengthy list of charges in his 38 years and spending a good deal of time in jail.
