Son of Nashville police chief found dead from alleged self-inflicted wound

Oct. 25 (UPI) -- The estranged son of Nashville Police Chief John Drake, a suspect in the shooting of two officers over the weekend, was found dead late Tuesday of an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound, authorities said.

The Tennessee Bureau of Investigations said John Drake, Jr. was discovered in South Nashville with a gunshot wound after officers received a tip and surrounded at a residence near a shed on the property.

"There, responding officers heard a muffled gunshot from an outbuilding and subsequently found Drake deceased from what appears to be a self-inflicted gun wound," said a message from the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation. "A full autopsy will be performed as part of the ongoing investigation."

Metro Nashville Police Department spokesman Don Aaron said late Tuesday that Drake stole a gold Chrysler 200 at gunpoint.

Police then chased Drake, who fled the vehicle after it crashed and hid in a shed, where officers found him dead.

Authorities had been looking for Drake since Saturday after he allegedly shot two officers in La Vergne, Tenn. The officers were responding to a stolen vehicle report in the area. La Vergne Police said their two officers struggled with the suspect before he removed a gun from his person and shot both officers.

Chief John Drake told The Tennessean he had prayed for the situation to be resolved peacefully and was "heartbroken and saddened" by the outcome.

"I am grateful to the members of law enforcement, including many officers from the department who worked diligently since Saturday to locate my son and bring him into custody," he said.

La Vergne Police Chief Christopher Moews said in a statement that the community's "prayers are with Chief Drake and his family."

"The La Vergne community and our heroic officers can rest easy tonight knowing that the manhunt for John Drake, Jr. is over," Moews said.