Congressional intern Eric Tarpinian-Jachym killed when gunman opens fire in tragic Washington D.C. shooting
Eric Tarpinian-Jachym, 21, an intern for Representative Ron Estes, was fatally shot late Monday night in what authorities believe was a targeted attack near the U.S. Capitol.
Tarpinian-Jachym was not the intended target but an innocent bystander in the tragic shooting.
Officers from the Metropolitan Police Department responded to reports of gunfire around 10:30 p.m. near 1200 7th Street. Upon arrival, they found Tarpinian-Jachym unconscious, along with two other victims who were conscious.
According to the department, multiple suspects exited a vehicle and opened fire on a group of people, striking three individuals.
All three victims - Tarpinian-Jachym, a woman, and a 16-year-old male - suffered gunshot wounds and were transported to a nearby hospital.
Tarpinian-Jachym succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead on Tuesday, ABC News reported.
According to a LinkedIn profile believed to belong to him, Tarpinian-Jachym had been interning for Representative Estes for about two months. Before that, he reportedly worked for a government relations firm, also in Washington, D.C.
A rising senior at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, Tarpinian-Jachym was majoring in finance with a minor in political science.
Representative Ron Estes and his wife, Susan, released a statement offering their condolences to the Tarpinian-Jachym family.
'I will remember his kind heart and how he always greeted anyone who entered our office with a cheerful smile,' Estes said in a press release. 'We are grateful to Eric for his service to Kansas' 4th District and the country.'
Estes has represented Kansas' 4th Congressional District since 2017. He currently serves on the House Committee on Ways and Means, the Budget Committee, the Joint Economic Committee, and chairs the Social Security Subcommittee.
Representative Richard E. Neal of Massachusetts also acknowledged Tarpinian-Jachym's death in a statement Wednesday, noting that he was a Springfield native and alumnus of Pope Francis Preparatory School.
'A rising senior at UMass Amherst, Eric was in D.C. interning on Capitol Hill, pursuing his passion for public service,' Neal said.
'Eric embodied what it means to be part of a community committed to learning, growth, and civic engagement.'
Neal also expressed sympathy for Tarpinian-Jachym's family, stating, 'Any parent will tell you there is no greater pain than the pain of losing a child.'
The Metropolitan Police Department is offering a reward of up to $25,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible. Anyone with information is urged to contact police at (202) 727-9099 or text tips to 50411.
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