21-Year-Old Congressional Intern Dies After Washington, D.C. Drive-By Shooting
Eric Tarpinian-Jachym, a bright young student and Capitol Hill intern, dies; he was an unintended victim in a senseless act of gun violence near Mount Vernon Square
This post can be read in Tocsin Magazine, and all Medium members can read the full article here.
Introduction
Tragically, another young life was lost in a senseless act of gun violence that occurred around 10 p.m. on Monday, June 30, near Mount Vernon Square in Washington, D.C. According to police and eyewitnesses, several shots were fired from a moving vehicle into a group of bystanders gathered in the area.
Eric Tarpinian-Jachym, a 21-year-old congressional intern from Granby, Massachusetts, was struck in the shooting and sadly succumbed to his injuries. The intern died after resuscitation efforts failed at the hospital on Tuesday, July 1.
Initial Police Reports
According to the Metropolitan Police Department of the District of Columbia, two other individuals — a woman and a 16-year-old boy — were also found wounded at the scene. Both survived and are being treated for their injuries in the hospital.
Detectives leading the investigation believe Eric was not the intended target and was caught in the crossfire — a victim of what they describe as a “spray of bullets.”
Police also recovered an abandoned vehicle suspected to have been used in the shooting, though the suspects remain at large. Authorities are urging anyone with information to call 202–727–9099 or text the department’s tip line at 50411. A reward of $25,000 is being offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible.
Who Was Eric Tarpinian-Jachym?
Eric was a senior-year student at the Isenberg School of Management at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, holding an impressive GPA of approximately 3.82 out of 4.0. Indepedent
According to his social media profiles, he studied finance and political science and was expected to graduate in 2026. Since February, he had been a fellow in the Fund for American Studies program in Washington, where he befriended Phillip Petersen. Petersen described him as a “good, intelligent Republican” who was passionate about strengthening law enforcement in D.C.
Friends recall Eric as social, ambitious, and deeply committed to public service, with a drive to effect positive change through his political and financial education.
Eric was interning with Kansas Representative Ron Estes on Capitol Hill. According to his official website, Eric was serving as a congressional intern in Washington. Independent
On Wednesday, Rep. Estes offered condolences to the Tarpinian-Jachym family, recalling Eric as a cheerful and kind young man who greeted everyone in the office with a warm smile.
Statements from Politicians
Rep. Ron Estes said:
“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.” Washington Post
Rep. Richard Neal (Massachusetts) also expressed deep sorrow, emphasizing Eric’s passion for public service and civic engagement. People.com
Investigation and Next Steps
Law enforcement, with support from the FBI and ATF, is reviewing enhanced video footage from the scene. A suspect vehicle — a black Acura — was recovered in Prince George’s County, MD.
Police have yet to identify or apprehend the perpetrators, although the suspected vehicle has been located. Authorities may have leads on possible suspects, but are withholding details to protect the integrity of the active investigation.
At this stage, detectives believe the shooting may have been a gang-related conflict between rival groups, with Eric caught in the middle by sheer misfortune.
The police reiterated that any form of gun violence is unacceptable and continue to urge the public to come forward with information that could help bring justice in this case. Law enforcement stressed the importance of community cooperation to identify the attackers and curb violence in the D.C. area.
Conclusion
A young life was lost simply because Eric happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. The bullets may not have been intended for him, but they prematurely ended his life regardless.
Does it even matter to Eric’s family and friends who the intended target was? Of course not. The shooting should never have happened in the first place.
Unfortunately, incidents like these are all too common in the United States, where innocent bystanders frequently fall victim to shootouts between rival gangs. Violent crime should never be a concern for random passersby, yet this tragedy proves that such violence often affects those who have nothing to do with it.
Now it is up to the police to find the perpetrators and bring them to justice. But one cannot help but wonder if it would have been far better had Eric’s life been saved by preventing this violent act from occurring at all.
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