Drive-By Shooting Claims Life of Council Intern
The mother of a council intern is speaking out after her son was killed in a drive-by shooting in Washington, D.C., a month ago. She has expressed strong criticism of the local council, claiming the community is “unprotected.”
According to the Metropolitan Police Department, 21-year-old Eric Tarpinian Yachim, a student at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, was shot on June 30th at approximately 10:28 p.m. He later died in the hospital on July 1st. Tarpinian was in D.C. as an intern for Republican Rep. Ron Estes.
Authorities stated that the shooting wasn’t specifically aimed at Tarpinian. However, a 16-year-old and an adult woman were also injured during the incident. As of the latest update, no suspect had been apprehended. The shooting took place near the Mt. Vernon Square Metro Stop on 7th Avenue in the northwest.
Witnesses reported seeing several individuals exit a vehicle and open fire, resulting in Tarpinian’s death.
Eric’s mother, Tamara Jachym, voiced her frustration, telling news outlets that the council treats violent crime lightly. “Your members are dying. They’re being killed… This isn’t okay. It’s not,” she stated emphatically. “I’m speaking for everyone. I’m angry about how this is happening. These individuals are not protected.”
She emphasized the need for the council to collaborate with the federal government to tackle violence, insisting that they need to hire more police and ensure adequate funding for overtime pay. “This is no joke. People are being killed,” she added.
Jachym reflected on her son, saying he was an “old soul” who often visited seniors in his neighborhood. “He genuinely cared about people. He would stop to chat and learn about their lives,” she remembered. “He loved everyone, no matter their background or challenges. He was just a good kid who loved life.”
In discussing the investigation, former homicide detective Ted Williams mentioned that drive-by shootings can be particularly challenging to solve. “The police often start from scratch,” he noted. “There can be many witnesses who know who the shooters are.”
Rep. Estes, expressing his condolences, conveyed that Eric would be remembered for his kindness. In a statement, he said, “Please pray for his family and respect their privacy during this heartbreaking time.”
The Metropolitan Police Department, along with the FBI, is offering a reward of $40,000 for information leading to arrests and convictions related to the case. Anyone with relevant details is encouraged to contact them at 202-727-9099.
