UPDATE - The following is a statement from Chief John Drake concerning Tuesday night’s death of John Drake, Jr: “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. I appreciate the condolences and kind words of support as my family and I privately mourn our loss.”
John Drake, Jr., the suspect wanted in the shooting of two La Vergne police officers, has been found dead in Nashville's Edgehill community. Information is sketchy from the TBI, but apparently the 38-year-old suspect died of what is thought to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
After three days of searching and no information, Drake reportedly showed-up Tuesday (10/24/2023) night at an Antioch Pike home and asked a couple for a ride. When he did not get one, he allegedly pulled a pistol and took their gold colored Chrysler 200.
Metro police spotted the vehicle on Thompson Lane and began pursuit. The chase did not last long and the suspect was lost in the Edgehill area.
Later, persons in the area of 15th Avenue South in Nashville reported hearing the sound of a muffled gun shot from an out building. Police and TBI agents were called to investigate. The TBI then reported that it appears the son of Nashville's police chief took his own life.
The TBI said in a statement late Tuesday night, "After pursuing investigative leads in the search for TBI Most Wanted suspect John Drake, Jr., authorities responded to a location in the 1400 block of 15th Avenue South in Nashville tonight. There, responding officers heard a muffled gunshot from an outbuilding and subsequently found Drake deceased from what appears to be a elf-inflicted gunshot wound. At the request of the 20th Judicial District Attorney General Glenn Funk, TBI special agents will investigate Drake's death. A full autopsy will be performed as part of the ongoing investigation."
Again, a full autopsy will be conducted as the TBI continues its investigation.
As additional information is released--NewsRadio WGNS will keep you informed.
See previous news article with soundbite HERE.
