Eric Tarpinian-Jachym, a 21-year-old congressional intern and a rising senior at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, was sadly shot and killed in Washington, D.C., on Monday evening.
Majoring in finance with a minor in political science, Tarpinian-Jachym was interning for Kansas Representative Ron Estes when he became a victim of gunfire near the Walter E. Washington Convention Center. The Metropolitan Police Department reported that he was not the intended target.
Authorities stated that several suspects exited a vehicle and opened fire on a group of individuals, resulting in injuries to three people. Tarpinian-Jachym, a woman, and a 16-year-old boy were all taken to the hospital. While the woman and the teenager are expected to recover, Tarpinian-Jachym succumbed to his injuries the following day.
Rep. Estes and his wife, Susan, conveyed their condolences: “I will remember his kind heart and how he always greeted anyone who entered our office with a cheerful smile.”
Massachusetts Rep. Richard Neal also released a touching statement, referring to Eric as a “Granby native and passionate public servant,” and recognizing the grief his family must be enduring.
The Metropolitan Police Department is offering a reward of $25,000 for information that leads to arrests in this case. Tips can be provided by calling (202) 727-9099 or texting 50411.
Eric’s untimely death has profoundly affected both Capitol Hill and his UMass community, where he was respected for his commitment to civic engagement and public service.
