A 21-year-old intern for Republican Congressman Ron Estes was shot and killed Monday night in Washington, D.C.
Eric Tarpinian-Jachym had just started his internship with Rep. Estes (R-KS) when he was caught in a burst of gunfire near the Walter E. Washington Convention Center. Police say he was not the intended target.
Multiple gunmen opened fire on a group around 10:30 p.m. near 7th and M Streets NW, according to the Metropolitan Police Department. Tarpinian-Jachym was hit by stray bullets, along with a woman and a 16-year-old boy. The other two victims survived. He did not.
Tarpinian-Jachym was found unconscious and rushed to a hospital, where he died on Tuesday.
He was from Granby, Massachusetts, and a senior at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. He was majoring in finance and minoring in political science. According to his LinkedIn page, he had already completed four years of government-related work experience.
Rep. Estes said in a statement, “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.”
Police believe the shooters got out of a car before opening fire. As of Thursday, no arrests had been made. A $25,000 reward is being offered for information that leads to an arrest and conviction.
Massachusetts Rep. Richard Neal also paid tribute to Tarpinian-Jachym, calling him “a rising senior at UMass Amherst… pursuing his passion for public service.”
Phillip Petersen, a D.C. colleague, said their last exchange was a casual catch-up over text. “He had dreamt of a career in finance,” Petersen said.
UMass Amherst issued a statement saying, “We extend our deepest condolences to all who knew him and will be communicating with the campus shortly to offer support.”
The gunmen are still out there. Police are asking anyone with information to come forward.
