Photo: La Vergne Police Department
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation issued a statewide alert for John Drake Jr. in connection with the shooting of two police officers on Saturday (October 21) night in the Nashville suburb of La Vergne.
John Drake Jr. is the son of Metro Nashville Police Chief John Drake, though the two have been estranged for "quite some time."
"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," Chief Drake said on Saturday. "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."
Drake Jr. is facing two charges of attempted murder and should be "armed and very dangerous."
Authorities said the shooting occurred after officers confronted Drake Jr. during an investigation into a stolen vehicle. During the confrontation, Drake Jr. pulled out a gun and fired at the officers, striking one in the shoulder and the other in the groin and forearm.
One of the officers has since been released from the hospital. The other officer remains hospitalized and is in stable condition.
A $2,500 has been offered for information leading to Drake Jr.'s arrest.