What was supposed to be a quick late-night snack turned into tragedy for 21-year-old Eric Tarpinian-Jachym, a Massachusetts student and Capitol Hill intern.
On June 30, just a mile from the White House, Eric was shot dead in a drive-by while walking to McDonald’s around 10:30 p.m.
Police say he wasn’t the intended target. Instead, he was caught in the middle of a gang-related dispute that left him and two others — a 16-year-old boy and a woman — seriously injured.
Teen Suspects Arrested, Third Still Wanted
Authorities announced the arrests of two 17-year-olds, Kelvin Thomas Jr. and Jailen Lucas, in connection with Eric’s killing.
Both will be charged as adults, according to U.S. Attorney for D.C. Jeanine Pirro, who revealed that the pair already had violent criminal records.
A third suspect, identified as Naquon Lucas, remains on the run. Investigators are actively searching for him.
At the scene of the shooting, police recovered a 9mm handgun along with 79 rounds, a chilling sign of how violent the encounter was.
The Intern With Political Dreams
Eric was interning for Kansas Representative Ron Estes while studying at the University of Massachusetts Amherst.
Friends describe him as smart, kind, and deeply passionate about politics.
His future, many believed, was bright.
But his life was cut short while he was doing something so ordinary — grabbing food.
His mother, Tamara, later expressed her heartbreak, saying Eric had “a false sense of security” that night, unaware how unsafe the streets could be even so close to the White House.
A Mother’s Heartbreak
In an emotional interview, Tamara reflected on her son’s final moments.
She believes Eric’s actions saved another life that night.
“Eric took the bullet for a 16-year-old. He was an innocent bystander,” she said.
“America needs to know that they’re not safe in D.C. My son paid the ultimate price.”
Her grief has turned into a plea for action — more police presence on the streets and a stronger push for public safety in the nation’s capital.
Tributes and Calls for Change
Eric’s friends have also spoken out.
Phillip Peterson remembered him as “a good, smart Republican” and suggested that Congress should honor him with legislation — something like an “Eric Jachym Act” — aimed at increasing police support in Washington, D.C.
The Attorney General, Pam Bondi, praised the quick arrests and linked them to efforts by the Trump administration to make the city safer.
“We hope this brings some measure of solace to his family,” she said.
Safety Concerns in the Capital
Despite a slight decline in homicide numbers compared with last year, D.C. continues to face rising incidents of shootings, stabbings, robberies, and carjackings.
Mayor Muriel Bowser and Police Chief Pamela Smith are under mounting pressure to address the violence.
Some members of Congress are even considering using Eric’s death as grounds to revisit — and possibly repeal — the District’s Home Rule Act, giving the federal government more control over the city’s governance.
“This Is Not Political, It’s Personal”
Tamara insists her son’s death should not become a pawn in political battles.
For her, the focus must remain on keeping D.C. safe for residents and visitors alike.
“This is not a political issue. It is a safety issue. If it happened to my son, it could happen to anyone,” she said.
“The nation’s capital should be the safest place in America.”