Pirro Announces Third Suspect Charged for Republican Intern’s Murder

Federal prosecutors announced the arrest of a third suspect in the brutal June slaying of 21-year-old congressional intern Eric Tarpinian-Jachym, underscoring what officials describe as Washington, D.C.’s ongoing failure to hold violent offenders accountable.

U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro identified the suspect as 18-year-old Naqwan Lucas, who is accused of taking part in the June 30 shooting that killed Tarpinian-Jachym and 22-year-old Zoey Kelley. Two others — Kelvin Thomas Jr. and Jailen Lucas — were previously charged with first-degree murder.

According to investigators, the ambush unfolded around 10:28 p.m. near the 1200 block of 7th Street Northwest, when multiple assailants exited a vehicle and opened fire. Tarpinian-Jachym, another adult victim, and a 16-year-old male were struck. The young congressional intern died the next day from his injuries.

Authorities believe the gunmen were targeting someone else, but the attack claimed two innocent lives.

Pirro said all three suspects were well-known to the D.C. juvenile court system, blaming the city’s permissive justice policies for fueling the violence.

“We live in a district where all three of these juveniles that I just mentioned are known to the juvenile court,” Pirro said. “That’s all I’m gonna say. I can’t say more, and I want to.”

She called the tragedy “predictable” and blasted the D.C. Council for prioritizing leniency over public safety.

“Two innocent souls were taken from us in what I believe were predictable homicides based on the behavior of these individuals and the records that everyone knew about,” Pirro said. “But the D.C. Council is more interested in protecting young criminals under the guise of protecting the innocence of youth. It’s time for them to start protecting the citizens of the district, because this is what we’re ending up with.”

Pirro described the growing lawlessness in the capital as unacceptable.

“We’re having victims five blocks away, 79 rounds on the ground,” she said. “This is normal behavior in D.C. No more excuses from this council.”

Tarpinian-Jachym, a University of Massachusetts Amherst student majoring in finance and minoring in political science, was interning for Rep. Ron Estes (R-KS) through a fellowship with the Fund for American Studies.

His parents, Tamara and Robert Jachym, issued a heart-wrenching statement:

“We are devastated by the tragic and senseless loss of our beloved Eric, a 21-year-old young man full of promise, purpose, and heart,” they said. “Eric was an exceptionally bright and kind soul, with a deep love for the outdoors. He believed deeply in using his voice and talents to make the world a better, more just place.”

The White House pledged full cooperation with law enforcement to ensure justice.

“President Trump was elected to Make America Safe Again, and he’s empowering his Justice Department, federal, state, and local law enforcement, and prosecutors to hold violent criminals accountable and deliver justice to grieving families like the family of Eric Tarpinian-Jachym,” a spokesperson said. “This administration will ensure full justice is served and is working tirelessly to end the senseless killing of innocent lives.”

The Metropolitan Police Department has offered a $25,000 reward for further information as prosecutors prepare to bring the case before a grand jury in early 2026.

With homicides up 18 percent compared to last year and over 220 killings reported, the nation’s capital faces mounting pressure to confront a justice system critics say is broken.

Pirro vowed to pursue the case relentlessly.

“Justice delayed is justice denied,” she said. “But justice for Eric—that’s what we intend to deliver.”