John Drake Jr died from apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound, Tennessee authorities say
The estranged son of Nashville’s police chief who is accused of shooting two police officers has been found dead after a multiday manhunt in Tennessee, authorities said late Tuesday.
John C. Drake, Jr., 38, was found with an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound after authorities responded to the 1400 block of 15th Avenue South in Nashville Tuesday night and heard a muffled gunshot from an outbuilding, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) said in a statement on social media.
Drake, who was considered armed and dangerous, was wanted on two counts of attempted first-degree murder, police said. He was the son of Metropolitan Nashville Police Chief John Drake.
Officers had pursued the younger Drake after he allegedly carjacked a man and a woman at gunpoint.
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John Drake Jr. shown in a split image -- one an undated mugshot photo, the other an image of the outfit La Vergne police say he was last seen wearing when he allegedly shot two officers in a Dollar General parking lot Saturday afternoon. (La Vergne Police Department)
Drake is accused of pulling a gun out during a "struggle" with the officers around 2:30 p.m. outside a Dollar General store in La Vergne. Police allege he shot them both – one in the back and the other one multiple times.
Both La Vergne officers, identified as Ashely Boleyjack and Gregory Kern, were hospitalized in stable condition.
These images provided by the City of La Vergne shows La Vergne Police Officers Ashely Boleyjack and Gregory Kern. (City of La Vergne via AP)
The elder Drake issued a statement on Saturday confirming that his "estranged" son was a suspect in the shooting.
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Metro Nashville Police Chief John Drake said Saturday in a statement that his son "has not been part" of his life "for quite some time." (AP Photo/Wade Payne, File)
"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. "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."
Drake Jr.'s criminal record includes dozens of prior arrests stretching back to 2005, according to WSMV-TV. An 18-page rap sheet shows he was convicted of rape in 2009 and three more sex offenses over the past decade, court records show.
La Vergne Police Chief Christopher Moews issued a statement late Tuesday, thanking all the officers involved in the pursuit for their "steadfastness and dedication to seeing this case through." Moews also said their prayers are with Chief Drake and his family.
TBI agents are investigating Drake’s death and a full autopsy will be performed as a part of the investigation, the agency said.
Fox News’ Landon Mion, Michael Ruiz and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
