In an utterly shocking attack, a young congressional intern has been shot and killed near the Mt. Vernon Square Metro station in D.C., once again putting the spotlight on the rampant crime afflicting our nation’s capital.
See the tweet below!
Eric Tarpinian-Jachym, a bright 21-year-old with ambitions in the political world, was an innocent bystander caught in urban violence that is all too common.
Eric Tarpinian-Jachym was a Massachusetts native and a senior at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, where he studied finance and political science.
He had only been interning with Kansas Representative Ron Estes since June 2025, but his time was tragically cut short.
During an altercation between rival groups near 7th and M Street, he became a casualty of their sinister dispute.
Tarpinian-Jachym was among three individuals struck by gunfire when suspects exited a vehicle and opened fire.
Also injured were an adult woman and a 16-year-old boy, who were hospitalized alongside Eric.
Despite intensive medical efforts, Eric succumbed to his injuries the next day.
Police have launched a full investigation, tracking down the vehicle used in the shooting found in Prince George’s County, Maryland.
Law enforcement remains optimistic about apprehending those responsible, but such events remind us of the persistent violence we face.
The fact that Eric was merely in the wrong place at the wrong time underscores the senselessness of such acts.
“I will remember his kind heart and how he always greeted anyone who entered our office with a cheerful smile. We are grateful to Eric for his service to Kansas’ 4th District and the country,” Rep. Estes declared.
Friends and family described Eric as a “good, kind-hearted, honest” young man who wanted to make an impact.
Personal friend Phillip Peterson suggested that a memorial bill should be introduced in Eric’s name, a fitting tribute to a life filled with promise.
The loud silence that follows his loss is felt deeply by those around him.
Representative Ron Estes shared his condolences, recalling Eric’s dedication and amiable nature.
Massachusetts Representative Richard Neal also expressed his grief, calling upon the common experience of parental loss to resonate with Eric’s family.
He urged respect for their privacy, hoping that their pain would not be made worse by unwanted attention.
“He was one of the few good, kind-hearted, honest, moral, trustworthy people in Washington D.C.,” Peterson said.
This senseless act serves as a clear reminder to address the violence that not only threatens lives but devastates families and communities.
My heart breaks over the senseless murder of 21-year-old GOP intern Eric Tarpinian-Jachym.
I walk by the spot of his murder daily, and took a photo of the scene as I walked to work before I knew what happened.
We must stop these horrific crimes in the nation’s capital. pic.twitter.com/XJ30wGxWKV
— Madeleine (@MadeleineHubSch) July 3, 2025
