WASHINGTON, D.C. — Police have released mugshots of two 17-year-olds accused in the fatal June shooting of Eric Tarpinian-Jachym, a 21-year-old Capitol Hill intern who worked for Rep. Ron Estes (R-Kan.).
Tarpinian-Jachym, a student at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, was fatally shot on June 30 near the White House.
The suspects, Kelvin Thomas Jr. from Southeast D.C. and Jailen Lucas from Northwest D.C., were arrested Friday and charged as adults with premeditated first-degree murder while armed. Authorities are also searching for Naqwan Antonio Lucas, 18, of Granby, Massachusetts, who is wanted on a D.C. Superior Court warrant for the same charges.
In addition to Tarpinian-Jachym’s death, the suspects allegedly injured a woman and a 16-year-old boy during the attack.
A moment of silence was held in July by the House in memory of Tarpinian-Jachym, whom Rep. Estes described as a “dedicated and thoughtful and kind person who loved our country.”
Attorney General Pam Bondi said the suspects “will face severe justice” if convicted and hopes this brings solace to the victim’s family.
It remains unclear if Naqwan Lucas and Jailen Lucas are related. Officials have not confirmed whether Naqwan Lucas has any prior criminal record.
The Metropolitan Police Department is offering a $25,000 reward for information leading to a homicide conviction. The FBI’s Washington Field Office and the U.S. Marshals Service have added $15,000 and $10,000 respectively, bringing the total reward for information on Naqwan Lucas to $50,000.
