Capitol Hill Intern Murder: Suspects Charged with Premeditated First-Degree Murder
Police have released the mugshots of two 17-year-olds who are accused of the June shooting death of a Capitol Hill intern in Washington, D.C. The victim, 21-year-old Eric Tarpinian-Jachym, was a University of Massachusetts Amherst student and an intern for Rep. Ron Estes, R-Kan. The suspects, Kelvin Thomas Jr. and Jailen Lucas, have been charged as adults with premeditated first-degree murder while armed. Another suspect, Naqwan Antonio Lucas, is wanted on a warrant for the same charges.
The suspects were arrested and charged in connection with the fatal shooting of Tarpinian-Jachym, who was killed about a mile from the White House. The suspects also injured a woman and a 16-year-old boy during the attack. The House held a moment of silence for Tarpinian-Jachym, with Rep. Estes describing him as a dedicated and kind person who loved the country.
Attorney General Pam Bondi stated that the suspects will face severe justice if convicted, offering some solace to the victim's family. The reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of Naqwan Lucas has been increased to $50,000, with officials urging anyone with information to contact the police and not approach the suspect.
It is unclear if Naqwan Lucas and Jailen Lucas are related, and there is no confirmation of Naqwan Lucas's prior criminal record. The FBI's Washington Field Office and the U.S. Marshals Service have contributed to the reward for information on Naqwan Lucas, emphasizing the importance of providing any relevant information to law enforcement.