Pic: Congressional intern fatally shot in DC

American Military News

14 hours ago

A congressional intern was shot and killed on Monday night in Washington, D.C., after 'multiple suspects' exited a vehicle and fired at a group of people.
In a Wednesday press release, the Metropolitan Police Department said law enforcement officials responded to 'the sound of gunshots' in the 1200 block of 7th Street, Northwest. After arriving at the scene, officials found an adult male unconscious, as well as an adult female and 16-year-old male who were 'conscious and breathing' after 'suffering from gunshot wounds.' The three victims were quickly transported to local hospitals.
The Metropolitan Police Department confirmed that the adult victim died from his injuries on Tuesday after 'all lifesaving measures failed.'
'The preliminary investigation indicates that multiple suspects exited a vehicle at the intersection of 7th and M Street, Northwest and began firing at a group,' the Metropolitan Police Department stated. 'The suspect vehicle has been recovered. Detectives believe the decedent was not the intended target of the shooting.'
The 21-year-old victim was identified as Eric Tarpinian-Jachym. The office of Rep. Ron Estes (R-Kan.) confirmed on Wednesday that the victim was an intern for Estes and was a 'rising senior' at the University of Massachusetts with a major in finance and a minor in political science.
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'I will remember his kind heart and how he always greeted anyone who entered our office with a cheerful smile,' Estes stated. 'We are grateful to Eric for his service to Kansas' 4th District and the country. Please join Susan and me in praying for his family and respecting their privacy during this heartbreaking time.'
In Wednesday's press release, the Metropolitan Police Department offered a reward of $25,000 for anyone who provided information leading to both the arrest and conviction of the individuals responsible for Tarpinian-Jachym's death.
Phillip Peterson, a friend of Tarpinian-Jachym, told Fox News that the congressional intern was 'a very easy-going person to be around.'
'We met in early January and we really started to hit things off. After the program we discussed becoming roommates, but I didn't want to move back to D.C. because I despise the culture so much,' Peterson told Fox News. 'Unfortunately that fell through. I legitimately do regret now not going back to D.C. just so I could have spent more time with my friend.'
A picture of Tarpinian-Jachym was shared on X, formerly Twitter, by the Massachusetts Republican Party. A spokesperson for the Massachusetts Republican Party noted that the loss of Tarpinian-Jachym was a 'loss for Massachusetts and our nation.'
'His family is now without its son, and the University of Massachusetts Amherst will be missing a promising young graduate from its Class of 2026,' the state GOP spokesperson said. 'The Massachusetts Republican Party extends its deepest sorrows to his family and the office of Rep. Ron Estes (R-KS), all of whom are mourning the passing of this bright and talented young man.'
State Committeeman Chris Ryan on behalf of the Massachusetts Republican Party:
"The loss of DC Congressional student intern and Granby resident Eric Tarpinian-Jachym is a loss for Massachusetts and our nation. His family is now without its son, and the University of… pic.twitter.com/m8Eiddy3Oh — MassGOP (@massgop) July 3, 2025