Authorities in Tennessee have issued a Blue Alert for a man wanted in connection with the suspected shooting of two police officers outside a Dollar General on Saturday.
According to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, John C. Drake, Jr., 38, is wanted on two counts of attempted first-degree murder, and a Blue Alert, which warns the public about a suspect wanted for killing or seriously injuring an officer, has been issued.
The suspect was revealed to be Metropolitan Nashville Police Chief John Drake’s son.
“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,” the father of the cops said in a statement. “My thoughts and prayers are with the two officers, who I understand are now in stable condition at Vanderbilt.”
According to La Vergne Police Chief Chris Moews, investigators were investigating a stolen vehicle when Drake, Jr., pulled out a handgun and started a fire outside the Dollar General.
“The officers had contact with a subject,” according to the report. “They wrestled with that subject, and that suspect produced a handgun and fired shots,” Moews explained.
“Despite my efforts and guidance in the early and teenage years, my son, John Drake Jr., now 38 years old, has resorted to years of criminal activity and is a convicted felon,” his father, John Drake Sr., said in a statement. “He hasn’t been a part of my life in a long time. He must now be apprehended and held accountable for his acts today. I hope anyone who sees or knows anything about him will contact law enforcement immediately.”
Moews described the guy as 5-foot-11, muscular, with facial hair and dreadlocks. He was last seen wearing a black T-shirt with a white hockey mask logo on the front and gray jeans with red lettering.
The suspect was last spotted north on La Vergne’s Stones River Road.
Drake, Jr. is considered armed and dangerous, according to posts on social media by La Vergne Police and the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation on Saturday evening. A shelter-in-place order issued for the Lake Forest community was withdrawn at about midnight.
“The shelter-in-place order has been lifted at this time,” said La Vergne Police on Facebook. “There is no immediate danger to the general public.” We are continuing our search, but we ask that everyone be cautious. If you see something, report it.”
