Law enforcement authorities in Tennessee launched a search on Sunday for the estranged son of Nashville’s police chief, who is the alleged perpetrator in the shooting incident involving two police officers outside a Dollar General store. The officers, stationed in La Vergne, a city situated approximately 20 miles southeast of Nashville, were in the midst of an investigation regarding a stolen vehicle at the store premises on Saturday afternoon.
During their encounter with the suspect, a scuffle ensued, culminating in the suspect brandishing a handgun and opening fire on the officers, as stated by LaVergne Police Chief Christopher Moews.
The authorities have officially named the individual in question as John C. Drake, Jr., aged 38, who happens to be the offspring of Chief John Drake from the Metro Nashville Police Department.
Regarding the injured officers, one of them sustained two gunshot wounds, specifically in the groin area and the right forearm, while the second officer was struck in the left shoulder region at the rear. Both of these wounded officers were promptly transported to Vanderbilt University Medical Center located in Nashville.
On Saturday evening, one of the officers was discharged from the hospital.
As for the other officer, they were retained for overnight observation and were reported to be in a stable condition, according to Anne Smith, who serves as the spokesperson for the city of La Vergne.
Additionally, the police chief issued an official statement on Saturday, affirming that his son was indeed the individual implicated in the shooting incident.
Drake conveyed that he and his son had become estranged, and throughout numerous years, their interactions had been exceedingly limited. He further mentioned that his son, the younger Drake, holds a prior conviction as a felon and has been involved in a significant span of criminal conduct over the years.
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, through a social media announcement, informed the public that a statewide alert had been activated for Drake, who is being sought on two charges of attempted first-degree murder.
Anne Smith stated that approximately twelve different law enforcement agencies have joined forces in the ongoing manhunt.
Following the shooting incident, the La Vergne police implemented a shelter-in-place directive for the city’s residents. Subsequently, in a social media update, the department conveyed that the shelter order had been rescinded while the search for Drake persisted.
