Third Suspect Arrested in Killing of Congressional Intern Eric Tarpinian-Jachym

Federal prosecutors in Washington, D.C., have arrested a third suspect in the June killing of 21-year-old congressional intern Eric Tarpinian-Jachym, officials confirmed Thursday. U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro identified the suspect as 18-year-old Naqwan Lucas, accused of participating in the June 30 shooting that killed Tarpinian-Jachym and 22-year-old Zoey Kelley. Two other suspects, Kelvin Thomas Jr. and Jailen Lucas, were previously charged with first-degree murder. Authorities said the shooting occurred around 10:28 p.m. near the 1200 block of 7th Street NW, when multiple suspects exited a vehicle and opened fire. Tarpinian-Jachym and two others were struck; he died the next day. Investigators believe the attack was targeted but that he was not the intended victim.

Pirro said all three suspects were known to the D.C. juvenile court system and criticized city leaders for “inadequate accountability” for violent offenders. “Two innocent souls were taken from us in what I believe were predictable homicides,” she said. “The D.C. Council is more interested in protecting young criminals under the guise of protecting the innocence of youth.”

Tarpinian-Jachym was a University of Massachusetts Amherst student majoring in finance and interning for Rep. Ron Estes (R-KS) through the Fund for American Studies. His parents described him as “a young man full of promise, purpose, and heart,” devoted to justice and the outdoors. The White House said President Trump’s administration would ensure justice and work with law enforcement “to end the senseless killing of innocent lives.” The Metropolitan Police Department has offered a $25,000 reward for information, and charges are expected to go before a grand jury in early 2026. Pirro vowed continued prosecution: “Justice delayed is justice denied. But justice for Eric — that’s what we intend to deliver.”