Authorities say that one of the individuals accused in the killing of a congressional intern in Washington, D.C., is suspected of also killing a teenage girl just days afterward.
Eric Tarpinian-Jachym, 21, was serving as an intern for Rep. Ron Estes, R-Kan., in Washington, D.C., when he was shot on June 30, according to officials. He passed away the following day in a hospital. The Metropolitan Police Department reported that the shooting took place on the 1200 block of 7th Street NW. On July 4, authorities reported the death of 17-year-old Zoey Kelley in a shooting.
After being identified as a suspect in Tarpinian-Jachym’s murder, the Metropolitan Police Department announced Friday that Naqwan Lucas was also being charged in Kelley’s murder. He was indicted on charges of armed, premeditated first degree murder.
Police responded to a report of trouble at a home in Washington, D.C., where they found Kelley unconscious with a gunshot wound. She was pronounced dead at the scene.
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Lucas remains at large and has not been apprehended.
Jailen Lucas and Kelvin Thomas Jr. were arrested in connection with Tarpinian-Jachym’s death, U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro announced in early September.
Pirro noted that Lucas and Thomas, who are juveniles, have records of violent behavior in family court.
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During a September news conference, Metropolitan Police Department Chief Pamela Smith expressed confidence in Lucas’s eventual arrest.
“These two arrests, along with a third one pending – which I am confident we will make – provide Eric’s family with some solace as they continue to mourn his tragic loss. Eric came to our city with a promising future, serving the public on Capitol Hill as an intern. He should have had the opportunity to return home safely to his family, but his life was senselessly cut short,” Smith stated.
Police indicated that a woman and a 16-year-old boy were shot but survived the July 1 shooting that resulted in Tarpinian-Jachym’s death.
Tamara Jachym, Tarpinian-Jachym’s mother, stated in a prior interview with Fox News Digital that police need to arrest those responsible because “they will do it again.”
“I believe Eric felt secure. It was still early in the evening. He was in a respectable neighborhood, and this occurred. It’s truly a tragedy. Eric was the 85th victim, and now we have an 86th,” she added, referring to the number of homicides in Washington, D.C., at that time.
