Authorities in Tennessee are on a statewide search for John Drake Jr., the son of Nashville's police chief, following the shooting of two suburban police officers on Saturday. The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation has issued a blue alert, warning that the 38-year-old suspect should be considered "armed and very dangerous."

The suspect, who is now wanted on two counts of attempted first-degree murder, is the estranged son of Metro Nashville Police Chief John Drake. Expressing shock and deep sadness, Chief Drake confirmed the connection and stated that he had minimal contact with his son over the years. He emphasized that his thoughts are with the wounded officers.

The shooting occurred during an altercation on Saturday night in La Vergne, a suburb of Nashville, while the officers were investigating a stolen vehicle. During the struggle, John Drake Jr. produced a handgun and fired shots, injuring one officer in the shoulder and the other in the groin and forearm. Both officers, with less than three years of experience on the force, were rushed to Vanderbilt University Medical Center.

Chief Christopher Moews of the La Vergne Police Department provided details about the incident at a press conference, highlighting the officers' bravery during the encounter. He mentioned that one officer has been released from the hospital and is in stable condition, while the other remains hospitalized.

The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation described the suspect as a 38-year-old male, 5 feet 11 inches tall, weighing 195 pounds. He has black hair and brown eyes. The agency reported that the suspect was last seen in La Vergne around 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, wearing a black t-shirt with a hockey mask design and gray sweatpants.

Following the shooting, a shelter in place order was in effect in La Vergne for most of Saturday night, as authorities conducted search efforts. However, the order was lifted shortly after midnight, as there was no immediate threat to the public.

The investigation into the shooting is ongoing, with law enforcement agencies actively searching for John Drake Jr. Anyone with information about his whereabouts is urged to contact the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation or local authorities.

The incident has sparked concerns about the role and impact of familial ties in law enforcement and raised questions about the complexities of relationships within families.