US Attorney for the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro has announced the arrests of two individuals in connection with the murder of a Congressional Intern, Eric Tarpinian-Jachym. Both suspects are 17 years old and are being charged with first-degree murder and will be tried as adults.
Watch:
JUST IN: US Attorney for DC Jeanine Pirro announces that 2 suspects have been arrested and charged with first-degree murder after a congressional intern was shot and killed in the nation’s capital.
— Fox News (@FoxNews) September 5, 2025
Pirro say both suspects are juveniles with prior violent records in family court… pic.twitter.com/kB1n19G8zf
Pirro was at times defiant as she announced the charges, as both suspects had what she described as violent criminal records, but escaped serious consequences because, as juvenile offenders in Washington, DC, their cases were handled in Family Court.
NEW: US Attorney for DC @JudgeJeanine rips the city council for shielding juvenile criminals after a Congressional intern was shot and killed:
— Fox News (@FoxNews) September 5, 2025
"They don't need to be protected. They need to be made accountable and we need to be protected." pic.twitter.com/s6wSFaaehK
A third suspect, 18-year-old Naqwan Antonio Lucas, is still at large. DC Metro Police are offering a fifty-thousand-dollar reward for information leading to his arrest.
MPD announces two arrests in the homicide of 21-year-old Eric Tarpinian-Jachym.
— DC Police Department (@DCPoliceDept) September 5, 2025
A third suspect is actively being sought. A $50,000 reward is being offered for information leading to the arrest of 18-year-old Naqwan Antonio Lucas.
Read more:https://t.co/AR19YQK1Od pic.twitter.com/7AoPeXKniT
Eric's parents, Tamara and Robert, appeared on Fox News with Pirro. Tamera said that until today's announcement, they had not known the details of the night their son was senselessly murdered. She fought back tears as she thanked the US Attorney, the DC detectives, and the victim's advocate that have worked on Eric's case.
Eric's dad, Robert, simply said 'Thank you from the bottom of my heart. And if I ever meet you, I want to give you a big hug.'
Watch:
"I thank you from the bottom of my heart. And if I ever meet you, I want to give you a big hug."
— Fox News (@FoxNews) September 5, 2025
Parents of DC shooting victim Eric Tarpinian-Jachym thank US Attorney Jeanine Pirro for delivering justice in their son’s tragic death. | @TheStoryFNC pic.twitter.com/mY8Kga5qop
It was a heartfelt moment from a couple that has endured the worst nightmare parents can experience, the loss of a child.
Tamara and Robert have suffered the most unimaginable loss in the shooting death of their 21 yr old son. My job is to make this unbearable process move swiftly, and certainly in the direction of Justice. May God hold your hands as we move forward in the criminal justice system https://t.co/WiUObkgBCA
— Jeanine Pirro (@JudgeJeanine) September 5, 2025
Their son, and they, did not deserve this. 🙏🙏🙏
— The Only James Magelk (@TheMagelk) September 5, 2025
Holy cow if I was Judge Jeanine I'd be a puddle of tears hearing that 😭
— Marissa Romano (@DJMRomano) September 5, 2025
As a mother, I cannot imagine the pain these parents feel. Make America safe whether the rest of the country wants it or not.
— Frantastic (@PortCityChickie) September 5, 2025
No parent should ever have to bury a child. We can only hope that if justice is delivered, it will bring some small amount of comfort for a pain that will be with them for the rest of their lives.
Eric Tarpinian-Jachym was going into his senior year at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, where he was studying politics and finance. He was spending his summer in DC for an internship with Kansas Rep. Ron Estes. He was a nationally recognized Latin enthusiast and an avid outdoorsman. In addition to his parents, Eric leaves behind his sister Angela and brother Jeremy.
He was 21 years old.
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