Suspect Linked to Congressional Intern Murder Charged in Teen Shooting

Authorities have revealed that a man suspected in the murder of a Congressional intern in Washington, D.C., is also believed to have killed a teenage girl shortly afterward.

Eric Tarpinian Jahim, a 21-year-old intern for Republican Congressman Ron Estes, was shot on June 30. He succumbed to his injuries the following day. The incident took place in the 1200 block of Seventh Avenue NW, according to police reports. Four days later, on July 4, officials reported the death of 17-year-old Zoe Kelly, who was also shot.

After naming Naquan Lucas as a suspect in Tarpinian-Jahim’s murder, the Metropolitan Police Department later charged him with Kelly’s murder as well. Lucas faces premeditated first-degree murder charges while armed.

Police received a call about a disturbance at a residence where they discovered Kelly unconscious from gunshot wounds. Sadly, she was declared dead on site.

While the mother of the slain intern expressed her frustrations over the way violent crimes are handled in the area, the search for Lucas is ongoing, and he has not yet been apprehended.

Meanwhile, two other suspects, Jalen Lucas and Kelvin Thomas Jr., were arrested in connection with Tarpinian-Jahim’s murder, as announced by U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro. Records indicate both have a history of violence, particularly in family court, and both are juveniles.

Despite the ongoing investigations, Police Commissioner Pamela Smith expressed optimism about Lucas’s eventual arrest, noting that this would bring some comfort to Tarpinian Jahim’s family.

In a previous conversation, Tarpinian-Jahim’s mother spoke about her concerns regarding public safety. She mentioned her son felt secure that night, as he was in a relatively safe neighborhood when this tragedy struck. Reflecting on the escalating violence, she indicated that her son was, tragically, the 85th homicide victim in the city and now the count stands at 86.