Jeanine Pirro, the U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia, speaks during a television interview Tuesday at the White House, On Friday, she announced two 17-year-old males were arrested in the fatal shooting of a 21-year-old congressional intern. Photo by Al Drago/UPI | License Photo
Two 17-year-old males were arrested in the fatal shooting of a 21-year-old congressional intern, U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro announced Friday.
Tarpinian-Jachym, 21, was shot on June 30 outside Mt. Vernon Square Metro Station in northwest D.C. and died at a hospital. He was an intern for U.S. Rep. Ron Estes, a Republican serving Kansas, and was a rising senior with a major in finance and a minor in political science at the University of Massachusetts.
Watch Live Today at 12:00 p.m. ET: @USAttyPirro, to provide update on arrests in the murder of Congressional intern Eric Tarpinian-Jachym.
: https://t.co/EpAa4pRBMr— U.S. Attorney DC (@USAO_DC) September 5, 2025
“He was an innocent bystander who was caught in a violent act that was not meant for him,” Pirro said at a news conference. “His death is a stark reminder of how fragile life is and how violence too often visits us in the nation’s capital.”
He was an intern for one month.
Metropolitan Police Department Chief Pamela Smith said two 17-year-olds have been arrested and a third arrest is pending. Both teens will be charged as adults. pic.twitter.com/B8JcIsVJgN— FOX 5 DC (@fox5dc) September 5, 2025
“Eric was a good, smart Republican. Quite frankly, somebody in Congress should introduce a bill called the Eric Jachym Act that works on increasing police support in D.C, and Congress can do that,” a friend, Phillip Petersen, told WTTG-TV.
Metropolitan Police Department Chief Pamela Smith said Jalen Lucas and Kelvin Thomas Jr. were arrested, and a third suspect, also a minor, is being sought.
They are being charged with first-degree murder and will be prosecuted as adults, Pirro said.
The case will be presented to a grand jury and more charges are expected, Piro said.
Investigators believe Tarpinian-Jachym was not the intended target.
Several people opened fire on a group of people, and a woman and a 16-year-old boy also were shot but survived.
The suspects have had prior violent juvenile records in family court, Pirro said.
“The D.C. Council has coddled young criminals for years,” Pirro said. “They reject mandatory minimums that the law requires. They don’t force judges to follow the law.”
She said the City Council has affected her office’s ability to arrest and charge minors accused of committing violence in D.C.
Investigators identified the suspects after reviewing video and conducting interviews. They were arrested in D.C.
“I extend my appreciation to Attorney Pirro, her team, and @DCPoliceDept for diligently working on this case to bring those responsible to justice,” Estes posted Friday on X.
The U.S. House member said about Tarpinian-Jachym in a statement on July 2: “I will remember his kind heart and how he always greeted anyone who entered our office with a cheerful smile. We are grateful to Eric for his service to Kansas’ 4th District and the country.”
On Aug. 11, President Donald Trump deployed the National Guard in the nation’s capital, described as a crime emergency.
