The Nashville police chief’s son has been on Tennessee’s wanted list since Saturday for allegedly shooting and injuring two police officers during a chase in a stolen vehicle, according to reports.
“I am shocked and deeply saddened to learn that my ex-son, with whom I had little contact for many years, is the suspect in this afternoon’s shooting […] My thoughts and prayers are with both officers,” Nashville Police Chief John Drake confirmed Sunday, according to The Tennessean.
On Saturday, police in La Vergne, Tennessee were responding to a stolen vehicle call when shots were reportedly fired in their direction as they attempted to speak with the suspect.
“You have made contact with a subject. They struggled with this issue. “During this struggle, the suspect pulled out a pistol and fired shots,” La Vergne Police Chief Christopher Moews said, adding that two of them were hit by a projectile, according to local media.
Police are still searching for John Drake Jr., 38, who is considered “armed and genuinely dangerous” by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, according to The Tennessean.
“Despite my efforts and advice during his early years and youth, my son […] resorted to years of criminal activity […] “He hasn’t been a part of my life for some time,” his father continued, urging anyone with information to contact police so he can be “discovered and held accountable for his actions.”
The two injured officers, identified as Ashely Boleyjack and Gregory Kern, were reportedly taken to a hospital for their injuries, but there is no fear for their lives. One of them was hit in the left shoulder, while the other reportedly suffered injuries to the groin and right forearm.