3 WEEKS... - Search Intensifies for Suspects in Fatal Shooting of Congressional Intern in Washington, D.C.

Washington, D.C. – August 21, 2025 – Authorities are intensifying their efforts to locate suspects involved in the tragic shooting death of 21-year-old congressional intern Eric Tarpinian-Jachym, killed in a targeted gunfire incident in Northwest Washington on June 30, 2025. The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD), in collaboration with federal agencies, continues to investigate the case, which has sparked outrage and renewed calls for addressing violent crime in the nation’s capital.

Tarpinian-Jachym, a rising senior at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst and an intern for Rep. Ron Estes (R-Kan.), was fatally wounded near the intersection of 7th and M Street, Northwest, close to the Mt Vernon Sq 7th St-Convention Center Metro station. According to D.C. Police Chief Pamela Smith, the incident stemmed from an altercation between two groups that escalated into gunfire in the 1200 block of Seventh Street. The shooting, which left a 16-year-old male and an adult female injured, was not random, but Tarpinian-Jachym was not the intended target, police confirmed.

The MPD has recovered the suspect vehicle involved in the drive-by shooting, described as a stolen white Kia Optima in a separate homicide case, but no arrests have been made in connection with Tarpinian-Jachym’s killing as of August 21, 2025. A $40,000 reward remains active for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible, with authorities urging the public to come forward with tips.Tamara Jachym, the victim’s mother, has publicly criticized the D.C. Council, expressing frustration over what she perceives as inadequate action to curb violent crime. “Your constituents are dying. They’re getting killed and maimed. This isn’t OK,” she told Fox News Digital, emphasizing the need for stronger safety measures. Her grief has resonated widely, with former President Donald Trump penning a letter of condolence and citing the case as evidence of escalating crime in the city.

The investigation has drawn significant attention amid broader discussions about crime in Washington, D.C. Despite claims from some officials, including Trump, that violent crime is “out of control,” MPD data indicates a 26% decrease in violent crime and a 12% drop in homicides in 2025 compared to the same period in 2024. However, high-profile cases like Tarpinian-Jachym’s killing continue to fuel public concern and political debate.

The MPD is working closely with the FBI and U.S. Marshals Service to follow leads, including witness statements and potential surveillance footage from the area. Former homicide detective Ted Williams noted that drive-by shootings like this one are challenging to resolve due to their complexity, but he emphasized that witnesses with knowledge of the perpetrators could be key to cracking the case.

Anyone with information is urged to contact the MPD at (202) 727-9099 or text tips to 50411. The case remains open, with authorities determined to bring justice to Tarpinian-Jachym’s family and the D.C. community.

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