21-year-old congressional intern fatally shot in Washington, D.C.
Eric Tarpinian-Jachym, a UMass Amherst student interning for Rep. Ron Estes, was killed near a convention center in what police believe was a random shooting.
A young man with dreams of public service was shot and killed in Washington, D.C., late Tuesday. Eric Tarpinian-Jachym, 21, had come to the capital for a summer internship and died after being struck by gunfire not meant for him, according to police.
Eric was a rising senior at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, where he studied finance and political science. He was interning for Kansas Congressman Ron Estes and hoped to one day enter public service. Originally from Granby, Massachusetts, Eric had spent the summer learning the inner workings of government.
He was killed just after 10:30 p.m. on July 1 near the Walter E. Washington Convention Center. Police believe he was an unintended victim, caught in a crossfire that also injured a 16-year-old boy and an adult woman. Both survived. Eric did not.
Remembered on Capitol Hill and at home
Rep. Estes released a statement mourning Eric’s death: “I will remember his kind heart and how he always greeted anyone who entered our office with a cheerful smile.” He thanked Eric for his service to Kansas’ 4th District and the country.
Massachusetts Congressman Richard Neal, who teaches at UMass, described the loss as “heartbreaking” and said Eric “embodied what it means to be part of a community committed to learning, growth, and civic engagement.”
“Any parent will tell you there is no greater pain than the pain of losing a child,” Neal added.
A city grappling with gun violence
The Metropolitan Police Department confirmed Eric’s identity on Wednesday. No arrests have been made, and the investigation is ongoing. Detectives continue to believe he was not the intended target. A $25,000 reward is being offered for information leading to an arrest and conviction.
Washington, D.C., has seen a rise in gun violence, and Eric’s death is now part of a larger crisis. His killing has struck a nerve among lawmakers, students, and constituents alike.
Eric’s death has left a void — in his family, his school, and among those who worked with him. It’s also renewed urgent calls for answers and accountability in a city still searching for solutions to senseless shootings.
Anyone with information is urged to contact D.C. police at (202) 727-9099 or text 50411.
A promising future in public service ended in seconds. Now, those who knew Eric are left remembering who he was — and what he never got the chance to become.
