La Vergne shooting suspect John Drake Jr. dead from self-inflicted gunshot wound: TBI

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) – John Drake Jr., the man wanted for shooting two La Vergne police officers on Saturday, has died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, according to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation.

Metro police spokesperson Don Aaron said just after 6 p.m. Tuesday, Drake Jr. approached some individuals at a home on Antioch Pike and demanded their gold Chrysler 200 at gunpoint. Drake Jr. then got into the car and drove away.

A short time later, Metro police officers saw the Chrysler near the intersection of Thompson Lane and Patricia Drive and initiated a pursuit. The pursuit eventually crossed into the Edgehill area onto 15th Avenue South, where the Chrysler crashed. Drake. Jr then got out of the car and ran into a shed behind a home in the 1400 block of 15th Avenue South, according to investigators.

The TBI said authorities responded to the scene and heard a muffled gunshot from the shed. When officers moved in to investigate, they found Drake Jr. dead from what appeared to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

WATCH: MNPD speak after John Drake Jr. found dead

Drake Jr., the son of Metro Nashville Police Chief John Drake, reportedly shot two La Vergne police officers near the Dollar General store in the 600 block of Stones River Road shortly before 2:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 21 when the officers were sent to investigate a stolen vehicle flagged by the city’s license plate reader software.

A struggle then ensued, resulting in Drake Jr. reportedly pulling out a handgun and shooting at the officers.