Two minors taken into custody, one remaining suspect evading authorities for the slaying of a congressional intern in Washington, D.C.
In a press conference on Friday, U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro announced the arrest of two 17-year-olds, Jalen Lucas and Kelvin Thomas Jr., in connection with the murder of Eric Tarpinian-Jachym, a congressional intern. The tragic incident occurred in Washington on June 30, when Tarpinian-Jachym was shot four times in a late-night shooting.
The suspects are being charged with first-degree murder in the killing. Investigators were able to identify the suspects through reviewing various videos in the D.C. area and conducting multiple interviews. The suspects were apprehended in D.C., according to officials.
Tarpinian-Jachym, an intern for Rep. Ron Estes, was a rising senior at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. Prosecutors expect more charges will be added after the case is presented to a grand jury, as stated by U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro.
However, Pirro used the news conference to denounce the D.C. City Council. She forcefully denounced the Council for coddling young criminals for years, arguing that they reject mandatory minimums that the law requires. Pirro claimed that the Council does not force judges to follow the law and stymies her office's ability to arrest and charge juveniles accused of committing acts of violence in the district.
Pirro argued that she needs the authority to prosecute younger kids due to the suspects' prior violent juvenile records in family court. She stated that the D.C. Council does not support her office's efforts to keep the city safe.
Unfortunately, the third suspect, 18-year-old Naqwan Antonio Lucas, is still at large and wanted on a D.C. Superior Court arrest warrant for premeditated first-degree murder while armed. A reward has been increased for the capture of the suspect accused of killing Eric Tarpinian-Jachym.
The community is urged to come forward with any information that could lead to the arrest of Naqwan Antonio Lucas. It is a tragic loss for Tarpinian-Jachym's family, friends, and the congressional community, and we hope for justice to be served in this case.
