Third Suspect Arrested in Fatal Shooting of Congressional Intern in DC

An 18-year-old man has been arrested for the murder of a congressional intern. Naqwan Antonio Lucas is the third suspect charged in the June 30th shooting that killed Eric Tarpinian-Jachym. His arraignment is scheduled for Thursday in D.C. Superior Court.

The arrest closes a major chapter in a case that shocked Washington. According to the Metropolitan Police Department, Lucas is also a suspect in a separate fatal shooting days later.

Details of the Violent Night Emerge

The incident occurred near the Walter E. Washington Convention Center. Officials report multiple suspects exited a vehicle and opened fire on a group. Tarpinian-Jachym was struck along with a woman and a teenage boy.

Authorities believe the 21-year-old intern was an innocent bystander. He was not the intended target of the gunfire. This was confirmed by police in earlier statements.

A Suspect Linked to Multiple Crimes

Court documents show Lucas faces a first-degree murder-while-armed warrant. He is also a suspect in the July 4th killing of 17-year-old Zoey Kelley. The Metropolitan Police Department formally charged him with Kelley’s murder last Friday.

Two other suspects, both 17, were arrested in September. Kelvin Thomas Jr. and Jailen Lucas were charged as adults. The U.S. Attorney for D.C. noted the teenagers have prior violent records in family court.

Remembering the Victims

Eric Tarpinian-Jachym was a rising senior at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. He was interning for Representative Ron Estes. His life was tragically cut short while he was serving the public.

Zoey Kelley was described by her loved ones as a bright light. A GoFundMe page remembered her magnetic energy and smile. Her death occurred just days after the intern’s killing.

The arrest of Naqwan Lucas brings a measure of accountability for a devastating loss. The DC murder suspect now faces justice for allegedly cutting short two promising young lives. The community continues to seek healing from this senseless violence.

Info at your fingertips

Who was Eric Tarpinian-Jachym?

He was a 21-year-old congressional intern from Massachusetts. Tarpinian-Jachym was a university student working for Rep. Ron Estes. He was killed while walking in Northwest Washington.

How many suspects are now in custody?

Three suspects are now in custody for the intern’s murder. Two 17-year-olds were arrested in early September. Naqwan Lucas is the third and final suspect arrested.

What was the motive for the shooting?

Police have not released a confirmed motive publicly. Officials stated the intern was not the intended target. The investigation into the circumstances is ongoing.

What other charges does the suspect face?

Naqwan Lucas is also charged with the murder of Zoey Kelley. That shooting occurred on July 4th in a different part of the city. He faces multiple first-degree murder charges.

Where did the shooting occur?

The shooting happened near the Walter E. Washington Convention Center. It was at the intersection of 7th and M streets NW. The area is in the Shaw neighborhood.