Suspect in La Vergne Police Officer Shooting Confirmed to be Dead - See Updated Article HERE.
LAVERGNE, TN – There is now a $15-thousand reward in police for information that leads to the arrest of John C. Drake, Jr., the estranged son of Nashville's police chief who is the suspect in the shooting of two La Vergne Police officers.
38-Year-old Drake is suspected of shooting the two officers as they were investigating a report of a stolen car outside a dollar store in La Vergne TN. The incident occurred this past Saturday. Glyndon Wicks lives next to the store where the shooting took place... One of the officers is hospitalized in stable condition. The other was treated and released.
By mid-day on Monday, authorities said that Drake has likely left the LaVergne area. Meanwhile, the suspect's mother has begged for her son to surrender
Metro Nashville Police Chief John Drake released the following statement after the shooting:
"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. My thoughts and prayers are with the two officers, who I understand are now in stable condition at Vanderbilt.
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. He has not been a part of my life for quite some time. He now needs to be found and held accountable for his actions today. I hope that anyone who sees him or has information about him will contact law enforcement immediately."
La Vergne Police Chief Christopher Moews has said the local chapter of the Fraternal Order of Police is adding to the reward being offered for Drake's capture. The FOP is contributing $12,500 in reward money, on top of the previously announced reward of $2,500 from the TBI. Now, the reward totals $15,000.
Drake is wanted on two counts of attempted first-degree murder the Saturday shooting of LaVergne Police Officers Ashley Boleyjack and Gregory Kern.
UPDATE - Suspect found dead in Nashville, TN. Click Here for details.
