NASHVILLE, Tenn. – A suspect wanted in connection with his father’s murder in Virginia was spotted in Nashville overnight.
Officials with Metro Police said 31-year-old Joshua Copeland lead Metro police on a high speed chase overnight Friday but got away twice. He is wanted in Abingdon, Virginia for the murder of his 67-year-old father.
The United States Marshal Service notified Metro Police that Copeland was in Nashville. Officers spotted him twice around midnight on Hermitage Avenue near Decatur Street and on Briley near Opry Mills.
Police said they had to call off the chase both times after the speeds got too dangerous.
Copeland was on his way to meet his probation officer when witnesses said he assaulted his dad out in the parking lot Thursday morning. The alleged incident happened in the Tri-Cities area near Bristol, which is about a four and a half hour drive from Nashville.
Police came to find Edsel Copeland with a wound to his chest. He later died in the hospital.
The younger Copeland was last seen driving a 2006 silver Dodge Charger with a Virginia tag JWN5305.
When police lost sight of him, he was traveling north on Briley Parkway near Ellington Parkway.
Police have cautioned that Copeland is armed, dangerous and possibly suicidal.
The Tennessee Highway Patrol has been notified to be on the lookout for him, along with other local agencies.
He was described as being 5-feet 8-inches tall and weighs 180 pounds. If you see him or his car do not approach him. Call police immediately.
