- The Nashville police chief's son is suspected of shooting two police officers.
- Nashville Chief John Drake called for his estranged son to be arrested.
A manhunt is underway in Tennessee for the Nashville police chief's son, who is the suspect in the shooting of two police officers.
The officers were investigating a stolen vehicle when the suspect shot them with a handgun outside a Dollar General store, La Vergne Police Chief Christopher Moews allege, per The Associated Press.
John C. Drake, Jr., the son of Metro Nashville Police Department Chief John Drake, was identified as the suspect.
The police officers were taken to Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville and were in stable condition, said Anne Smith, a spokesperson for the city of La Vergne, per the outlet.
The Nashville police chief released a statement confirming that his estranged son was the suspect.
"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," Drake said.
"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," Drake wrote. "He now needs to be found and held accountable for his actions today."
He said that his thoughts and prayers were with the wounded officers.
Drake is a gun control advocate who responded to one of the state's worst mass shootings earlier this year.
Nashville Mayor Freddie O'Connell expressed his support for Drake and the officers in a statement.
"My heart goes out to Chief Drake, his family, and the two wounded La Vergne police officers. I know that despite our best efforts — including in their early years — we can't be responsible for the choices of family members," he said.
"I support Chief Drake and stand by him at this difficult time. He is the right Chief of Police for Nashville."