Washington, D.C., is reeling after two 17-year-olds, Jalen Lucas and Kelvin Thomas Jr., were charged with first-degree murder in connection with a deadly drive-by shooting that killed 21-year-old congressional intern Eric Tarpinian-Jachym. The incident occurred on June 30 near the Washington Convention Center—an area with a known history of violent crime. Authorities say the suspects sprayed 79 bullets from two rifles and a 9mm handgun, aiming at a group nearby. Tarpinian-Jachym, an innocent bystander, was struck by a stray bullet and died the next day.

Tarpinian-Jachym was a senior at the University of Massachusetts Amherst and was interning for Representative Ron Estes (R-KS) at the time of his death. The young man’s tragic passing has sparked public outrage and renewed focus on violent crime in the capital. Investigators confirmed that the shooting was not targeted at him, but rather at another group nearby, making the incident all the more senseless.

U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro announced that both teenagers will be tried as adults, though D.C. law prohibits the death penalty. Pirro, along with D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser, has called for a tougher stance on violent juvenile offenders, especially in cases involving what she described as “cold-blooded murder.” The decision to prosecute the teens as adults has intensified the ongoing debate over juvenile justice reform.

President Donald Trump authorized federal intervention in response to the shooting, resulting in the seizure of nearly 200 illegal firearms in the D.C. area. Pirro is now pushing for expanded authority to move serious juvenile cases out of family courts and into criminal courts. She argued that leniency toward armed teens sends the wrong message and puts communities at risk.

Surveillance footage played a critical role in identifying Lucas and Thomas as the suspects. The footage captured the vehicle and weapons involved, helping law enforcement swiftly track down the teenagers. Pirro emphasized that swift justice is necessary, stating, “Eric didn’t deserve to be gunned down while walking in his own capital city.”

The case has reignited national conversations about public safety, youth violence, and the need for criminal justice reform. As federal and local officials respond to the rising tide of gun violence among minors, the killing of Eric Tarpinian-Jachym stands as a tragic reminder of the innocent lives lost due to escalating urban crime and the challenges in addressing juvenile accountability.