Teenagers Arrested in Murder of Congressional Intern

Two 17-year-olds have been taken into custody and will face first-degree murder charges in connection with the shooting death of a Congressional intern, Eric Tarpinian-Jachym, earlier this summer, as stated by U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia, Jeanine Pirro.

There’s also a third suspect who is still on the run and is being actively sought by law enforcement.

The suspects, Jalen Lucas and Kelvin Thomas Jr., were arrested on Friday and are set to be tried as adults. Tarpinian-Jachym, 21, was an intern for Representative Ron Estes (R-Kan.) and was tragically killed while walking in Northwest D.C. back in June, caught in a drive-by shooting involving three assailants.

Alongside him, a 16-year-old boy and a woman were also injured in the incident; the younger victim was reportedly part of a group being targeted, according to reports.

Authorities indicated they reviewed extensive surveillance footage to track down the suspects accused of the shooting.

“These juveniles have prior violent juvenile records in the family court,” Pirro highlighted.

Pirro, who was appointed by former President Donald Trump, has underscored the importance of taking juvenile offenders more seriously this year.

“From day one, I realized we were missing a significant portion of crime in D.C., as the D.C. Council believes these youths should be protected, but they need accountability instead. We all deserve protection,” she added.

She’s pushing for laws to have teenage offenders, aged 14 to 17, face criminal courts to help reduce juvenile-related murders in the area.

“Eric didn’t deserve to be gunned down,” Pirro stated. “The system failed him, fostering the idea that juveniles need to be coddled.”

Representative Estes expressed gratitude to Pirro for her swift actions regarding the case. He acknowledged her efforts in holding the suspects accountable and advocating for tougher measures against juvenile crime, stating that addressing violence in the District is vital.

“Nothing can undo the violence that claimed the life of a promising young man, but I hope today’s news brings some peace and closure to Eric’s family, friends, and all who cared for him,” he remarked.

Usually, the identities of minors involved in criminal cases are kept confidential, but there are exceptions:

• Both suspects are 17 years old.
• They are being charged as adults due to the gravity of their crimes — first-degree murder with premeditation.
• In Washington, D.C., if a juvenile is charged as an adult for serious felonies, their names become part of public records.

D.C. law allows juveniles aged 15 and over to be charged as adults for certain violent felonies, such as murder, armed robbery, and sexual assault.