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New York Post
a day ago
- Politics
- New York Post
Grief-stricken mother of slain congressional intern received surprise letter from Trump: ‘Made me feel so good'
The mother of a 21-year-old congressional intern who was gunned down in Washington, DC last month expressed her gratitude recently after receiving an unexpected and heartfelt letter about her son from President Trump. 'It just made me feel so good,' Tamara Tarpinian-Jachym said of the note from Trump. 'People call [Trump] a monster, but he's not. He's such a human. He is so kind to kids.' 'I just couldn't believe that he did this.' Tamara Tarpinian-Jachym's son, Eric, was shot and killed in Washington, DC, last month. Courtesy of Tamara Jachym Tarpinian-Jachym's son, Eric, was shot alongside two other victims on June 30, about a mile from the White House, when multiple suspects emerged from a vehicle and opened fire, the Metropolitan Police Department said. Eric, who police said was not the intended target, was unconscious when authorities arrived and died in the hospital the following day. Eric, a rising senior at the University of Massachusetts Amherst in the Isenberg School of Management, was in the nation's capital interning for Rep. Ron Estes (R-Kan.) when he was murdered. 'He loved his job, he loved everybody there. He liked people on both sides of the aisle, and he worked with kids who were Democrats and Republicans,' Tarpinian-Jachym said during an interview on the Howie Carr Show on Friday, according to the Boston Herald. She added that Trump's letter 'just drove it home.' In the July 17 note to the slain intern's mom, the president wrote that he and first lady Melania Trump were 'devastated by the senseless act of violence' and 'heartbroken' for her entire family. 'While we may never fully understand the impact that Eric has had during his meaningful life, we know he will be remembered for his kindness, faithfulness, and devotion to your family and his many friends,' Trump wrote. 'He will also be remembered for his commitment to our country. I know how proud Congressman Estes was to have Eric represent his office, the people of Kansas' Fourth Congressional District, and our Nation.' 'Eric will be held in my heart, and I promise to never forget or forgive the terrible act that took him from us,' the president continued. 'Please know that my Administration will not stop fighting to clean up our streets and ensure law and order.' 'May God hold Eric in His eternal love and care and provide you and your other incredible children, Angela and Jeremy, with abiding peace and unending strength.' Eric Tarpinian-Jachym's mother said the letter from Trump was a pleasant surprise. Massachusetts Republican Party The letter was read aloud by Massachusetts Republican Party Chairwoman Amy Carnevale during Eric's funeral on Thursday – and is part of an outpouring of support Tarpinian-Jachym has received from Republicans in the aftermath of the tragedy, according to the Boston Herald. His mom indicated that she heard from Trump before several prominent Massachusetts Democrats, including Gov. Maura Healey. 'The people in Massachusetts showed their true colors,' Tamara said. Healey's office told the Boston Herald that the governor connected with Eric's family on Saturday, but provided no further details about the interaction. DC police have yet to arrest a suspect in connection with Eric's murder.
Boston Globe
2 days ago
- Politics
- Boston Globe
What Eric Tarpinian-Jachym's killing says about the politics of tragedy
According to an aide, Healey did connect with Eric Tarpinian-Jachym's family on Saturday — after the radio interview and 19 days after his death. When I reached out to Tamara Tarpinian-Jachym on Monday, she declined comment about it. But asked about the time it took for Healey's outreach to happen, Massachusetts Republican Party chair Amy Carnevale told me in an interview, 'It disappoints me to think that politics did play a role.' Get The Gavel A weekly SCOTUS explainer newsletter by columnist Kimberly Atkins Stohr. Enter Email Sign Up Of course, there is no proof of that. This is primarily a terrible story of a young life cut short. Eric Tarpinian-Jachym, 21, was shot when gunfire broke out and he was caught in the cross fire. Police said he was not the intended target of perpetrators who have not yet been apprehended. That it can also be a story about political affiliation and how that might influence who deserves condolences is another depressing sign of these polarized times. Advertisement Today, disaster — like the flooding that killed more than 130 people, including young campers, in Texas — is routinely viewed through the prism of partisan politics. For example, did personnel cuts imposed by the Trump administration hinder coordination between federal and local authorities? And victims of violence, from Minnesota lawmaker Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, to Eric Tarpinian-Jachym, are analyzed through their political affiliations — as are alleged perpetrators. In this case, a letter of sympathy from President Trump and first lady Melania Trump, which was read at Eric's funeral, also underscored who reached out to the family and who didn't. That is a shame. By all accounts, Eric Tarpinian-Jachym should be remembered as a caring and charismatic young man of great promise who believed in public service. He also loved fishing, excelled in archery, and was described by his mother as 'an old soul.' With the internship, he was starting to live his dream. Not that it should matter, but voter records shared with me by Carnevale show that he was an unenrolled or independent voter, and so are his immediate family members, just like some 60 percent of all registered voters in Massachusetts. According to Carnevale, Tarpinian-Jachym ended up interning for Republican Representative Ron Estes of Kansas after talking to several Republican and Democratic lawmakers. As a finance major at UMass, Tarpinian-Jachym was drawn to working with Estes because he serves on the House Committee on Ways and Means, Carnevale said. Advertisement Representative Richard Neal, whose district includes Granby, did connect with the family and After what Healey described as 'meaningful conversations' with Tamara Tarpinian-Jachym, the governor issued a statement on Monday calling Eric 'a remarkable young man. I am deeply moved by his young life and all that he stood for. He worked incredibly hard his whole life and represented the very best of our young people. He was bright, engaged and cared deeply for his community. He also sought ways to bring others in — whether it was in school or organizing fishing outings for family and friends. He went to DC committed to pursuing public service and making a difference. Instead, his life was senseless and horrifically cut short.' Healey also pledged to work with Tamara Tarpinian-Jachym to honor her son's memory and said her office has been in touch with D.C. authorities to pledge support and assistance in holding his killer accountable. Those are welcome outcomes. But it does make you wonder what took so long. For sure, governors have a lot to do. But what they consider worthy of their attention does send a message. For example, Healey Advertisement With the death of Tarpinain-Jachym, we are left to analyze the politics of tragedy and silence. Joan Vennochi is a Globe columnist. She can be reached at
CBS News
04-07-2025
- Politics
- CBS News
UMass student interning in Congress killed in Washington, D.C., shooting
UMass student from Granby shot and killed while interning in DC mourned by community UMass student from Granby shot and killed while interning in DC mourned by community UMass student from Granby shot and killed while interning in DC mourned by community A University of Massachusetts student who was interning in Congress was killed in a shooting in Washington, D.C., this week. Eric Tarpinian-Jachym, 21, of Granby, Massachusetts, was one of three people who were wounded in a shooting near the convention center around 10:30 p.m. Monday. All three were rushed to hospitals. Tarpinian-Jachym died the next day. Metropolitan Police said "multiple suspects" got out of a car at the intersection of 7th and M Street and "began firing at a group." There have been no arrests, but investigators said they found the car. "Not the intended target" "Detectives believe the decedent was not the intended target of the shooting," police said in a statement. Tarpinian-Jachym was a rising senior at UMass. He was spending the summer in Washington as a congressional intern, working for Rep. Ron Estes, a Republican from Kansas. ANNOUNCEMENT: Chris Ryan on behalf of the Massachusetts Republican Party "The loss of DC Congressional student intern... Posted by Massachusetts Republican Party on Wednesday, July 2, 2025 "I will remember his kind heart and how he always greeted anyone who entered our office with a cheerful smile," Estes said in a statement. "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." The Massachusetts Republican Party said Tarpinian-Jachym's death is 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 party said in a statement. "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." "Eric was, by all accounts, enjoying his internship and enjoying learning about public service," said Amy Carnevale, the head of the Massachusetts Republican Party. "He really had a bright future ahead of him." She said Tarpinian-Jachym's parents have traveling to D.C. to identify his body and meet with Estes. Tarpinian-Jachym was majoring in finance with a minor in political science, according to Estes. "He was just so hungry to be the best person he could and reach his potential," said Clark Burg, a friend of Tarpinian-Jachym's from Fund for American Studies, a D.C. fellowship for student leaders. "There's never been quite a guy that I guess I've bonded with so easily or met that's as good as him. He lights up the room wherever he goes, he was such a funny guy, he always had something to say to make you feel better." "A terrible tragedy" A UMass spokesperson said the school is "in communication with the student's family." "We extend our deepest condolences to all who knew him and will be communicating with the campus shortly to offer support," said Emily Gest, an Associate Vice Chancellor for News and Media Relations. Granby is about a half-hour north of Springfield, Massachusetts. Residents who spoke with WBZ-TV said they were devastated to hear of Tarpinian-Jachym's death. "It's a terrible tragedy when anybody loses a life but when a young person just getting started with their life, it's very disheartening," said Granby resident Marilyn Iacconne. "It's just devastating to hear that no one cares about life in general anymore, it just seems like it's tragic all around the whole world," said Granby resident Angela Hodgkins.
American Military News
03-07-2025
- Politics
- American Military News
Pic: Congressional intern fatally shot in DC
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. READ MORE: Video/Pic: 2 Israeli diplomats shot, killed in DC by pro-Palestinian suspect '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… — MassGOP (@massgop) July 3, 2025
CBS News
03-07-2025
- Politics
- CBS News
UMass student interning in Congress killed in Washington, D.C. shooting
UMass senior from Granby shot and killed while working as congressional intern in DC UMass senior from Granby shot and killed while working as congressional intern in DC UMass senior from Granby shot and killed while working as congressional intern in DC A University of Massachusetts student who was interning in Congress was killed in a shooting in Washington, D.C. this week. Eric Tarpinian-Jachym, 21, of Granby, Massachusetts was one of three people who were wounded in a shooting near the convention center around 10:30 p.m. Monday. All three were rushed to hospitals. Tarpinian-Jachym died the next day. Metropolitan Police said "multiple suspects" got out of a car at the intersection of 7th and M Street and "began firing at a group." There have been no arrests, but investigators said they found the car. "Not the intended target" "Detectives believe the decedent was not the intended target of the shooting," police said in a statement. Tarpinian-Jachym was a rising senior at UMass. He was spending the summer in Washington as a Congressional intern, working for Rep. Ron Estes, a Republican from Kansas. ANNOUNCEMENT: Chris Ryan on behalf of the Massachusetts Republican Party "The loss of DC Congressional student intern... Posted by Massachusetts Republican Party on Wednesday, July 2, 2025 "I will remember his kind heart and how he always greeted anyone who entered our office with a cheerful smile," Estes said in a statement. "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." The Massachusetts Republican Party said Tarpinian-Jachym 's death is 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 party said in a statement. "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." Tarpinian-Jachym was majoring in finance with a minor in political science, according to Estes. UMass statement A UMass spokesperson said the school is "in communication with the student's family." "We extend our deepest condolences to all who knew him and will be communicating with the campus shortly to offer support," said Emily Gest, an Associate Vice Chancellor for News and Media Relations. Granby is about a half-hour north of Springfield, Massachusetts.
