21-Year-Old Congressional Intern Fatally Shot in Washington, D.C.
Eric Tarpinian-Jachym, a 21-year-old college student and summer intern for Kansas Congressman Ron Estes, was tragically shot and killed in Washington, D.C., on the night of July 1. The incident occurred near the Walter E. Washington Convention Center, just after 10:30 p.m. According to police, Eric was not the intended target but was caught in crossfire during a shooting.
A 16-year-old boy and an adult woman were also wounded but are expected to recover. Eric was a rising senior at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, studying finance with a minor in political science. Originally from Granby, Massachusetts, he had strong ambitions to serve the public and make a difference in the world.
His sudden death has deeply shaken his community and colleagues on Capitol Hill. Congressman Ron Estes remembered him as a warm, respectful presence who greeted everyone with kindness. Rep. Richard Neal, who teaches at UMass, expressed sorrow over the loss, describing Eric as a committed and driven student who represented the best of his generation.
The Metropolitan Police Department is still investigating and has offered a $25,000 reward for information that leads to an arrest. While the motive remains unclear, authorities believe Eric was simply in the wrong place at the wrong time.
As tributes continue to pour in from classmates, lawmakers, and friends, many remember Eric not just as a student, but as a young man full of promise. His loss is both personal and public — a life dedicated to service, cut tragically short.
