Washington, D.C., is confronting a tragic and high-profile crime as two 17-year-olds, Jalen Lucas and Kelvin Thomas Jr., face first-degree murder charges in the death of 21-year-old congressional intern Eric Tarpinian-Jachym. The fatal shooting occurred on June 30 near the Washington Convention Center, an area with a history of violent crime, during a drive-by incident that left the city reeling.
Tarpinian-Jachym, a senior at the University of Massachusetts Amherst and intern for Rep. Ron Estes (R-KS), was struck by a stray bullet and died the following day. Authorities reported that 79 rounds were fired using two rifles and a 9mm handgun. While the intended targets were another group nearby, bystanders—including Eric—were caught in the crossfire, illustrating the indiscriminate dangers of urban gun violence.
U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro confirmed that both suspects will be tried as adults, highlighting that D.C. law prohibits the death penalty. Pirro, along with Mayor Muriel Bowser, emphasized the need for tougher treatment of violent juvenile offenders. Both officials argued that adult prosecution is warranted in cases of “cold-blooded murder,” citing public safety concerns and the severity of the crime.
Following Eric’s death, President Trump authorized federal intervention, which led to the seizure of nearly 200 illegal firearms in the District of Columbia. Pirro has also advocated for expanded authority to prosecute juveniles in criminal courts rather than family courts, pointing to rising rates of youth violence as justification for stricter measures.
Key evidence in the case came from surveillance footage, which helped identify Lucas and Thomas. Pirro warned that leniency toward armed teens poses serious risks to the public, stating, “Eric didn’t deserve to be gunned down.” Her comments underscore the urgency of balancing juvenile justice with public safety in urban environments increasingly affected by gun crime.
The case has reignited national discussions surrounding juvenile justice reform, federal crime policy, and urban public safety. With two teenagers facing adult murder charges and communities demanding stronger protections, the D.C. drive-by killing of a promising young congressional intern has become a focal point for policymakers, legal experts, and citizens alike, highlighting the broader challenges of youth violence in the United States.
