Law enforcement in Nashville said the police chief’s son, who was on the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation’s Most Wanted list, shot and killed himself Tuesday after leading police officers on a chase.
Authorities said they pursued John Drake Jr., 38, that night after he stole a car at gunpoint from a couple.
The suspect crashed the car and ran into a shed behind a home near downtown Nashville.
Police said that as officers surrounded the home, a single gunshot was heard.
A spokesperson for Nashville police said, “It appears that [Drake Jr.] has died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.”
He was the “estranged son” of Nashville Metropolitan Police Chief John Drake, the chief 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,” Chief Drake said over the weekend.
The suspect was wanted on two counts of attempted murder after being tied to a Saturday shooting in the La Vergne suburb that sent two officers to the hospital.
La Vergne police said officers were investigating a stolen vehicle when they confronted Drake Jr. Saturday.
Authorities said the suspect opened fire on the officers soon after.
“This was a tragic end to John Drake Jr.’s life, and our heart goes out to Chief Drake and his family at this difficult time,” Nashville Mayor Freddie O’Connell said Wednesday.
• Matt Delaney can be reached at mdelaney@washingtontimes.com.
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