John Drake Jr., 38, allegedly shot two Tennessee police officers after they confronted him about a stolen car outside a Dollar General, on Oct. 21, 2023. Drake, the son of the Nashville police chief, was found dead Oct. 24 from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound after fleeing cops in another stolen car. (La Vergne (Tenn.) Police Department)
A Tennessee police chief's son who was accused of shooting two police officers was found dead from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound after fleeing cops in a stolen car, authorities say.
John C. Drake Jr., 38, whose father is the top cop at the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department, was wanted on two counts of attempted first-degree murder for shooting two La Vergne police officers on Saturday. He fled from the shooting and had been on the lam ever since. On Tuesday night, he allegedly stole a car from a couple from a gunpoint after they wouldn't give him a ride, Don Aaron, of the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department, told CNN.
Officers spotted the car and Drake drove off, leading them on a pursuit. Drake crashed the car, got out and ran toward a shed behind a home, Aaron said. Cops were closing in when they heard a gunshot and found Drake dead.
"The La Vergne community and our heroic officers can rest easy tonight knowing that the manhunt for John Drake Jr. is over," said La Vergne Police Chief Christopher Moews in a statement. "We want to thank all of the officers who were involved in tonight's pursuit for their steadfastness and dedication to seeing this case through to the end. Our prayers are with Chief Drake and his family."
Nashville Police Chief John Drake Sr. said in a statement that he appreciated the condolences.
"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. It was my prayer that no harm would come to him or anyone else. I am heartbroken and saddened by the outcome."
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation will investigate Drake's death. An autopsy also will be performed to determine the official cause of death.
As Law&Crime previously reported, two La Vergne police officers were investigating the report of a stolen car at a Dollar General store when they confronted the suspect. A struggle ensued and the officers were shot, according to Moews.
The elder Drake in a previous statement described his son as "estranged" and said his prayers go out to the two officers who were shot.
"I am shocked and deeply saddened to learn that my estranged son, with whom I have had very minimal contact over many years, is the suspect in this afternoon's shooting of the two La Vergne police officers," the statement said. "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."
Moews told reporters that the two officers responded to the Dollar General about the stolen car shortly before 2:30 p.m. Saturday. Moews said the two officers began struggling with 38-year-old John Drake Jr. who then took out a gun and started shooting.
One officer suffered a gunshot wound to the rear, left shoulder while the other was shot in the groin and right firearm. They were both taken to the hospital but have since been released. The officers were identified as Gregory Kern, who has been with the department a year-and-a-half, and Ashley Boleyjack, a three-year veteran.
According to the Tennessee Department of Corrections, John Drake Jr. served eight years in prison for rape. He was on parole at the time of his death. Local NBC affiliate WSMV reports he has been criminally charged nearly 60 times since 2005.
