The world of politics can be dangerous. But this is beyond the pale.
Because a Congressional employee was gunned down in a heinous attack.
Tragic Shooting Claims Life of Congressional Intern
Eric Tarpinian-Jachym, a 21-year-old intern for Representative Ron Estes (R-Kansas), was fatally shot in Northwest Washington, D.C., on Monday, June 30, 2025, in an incident that highlights the persistent challenge of violent crime in the nation’s capital.
The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) and Estes’ office confirmed Tarpinian-Jachym’s death, noting he was an unintended victim caught in a targeted shooting near the Walter E. Washington Convention Center.
A rising senior at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, majoring in finance with a minor in political science, Tarpinian-Jachym was remembered by Estes for his “kind heart” and “cheerful smile,” reflecting the profound loss felt by his colleagues, family, and community.
Details of the Incident and Investigation
The shooting occurred around 10:28 p.m. at the intersection of 7th and M Streets, Northwest, when multiple suspects exited a vehicle and opened fire on a group, according to MPD.
Tarpinian-Jachym was found unconscious with gunshot wounds, alongside an adult female and a 16-year-old male, both of whom sustained non-life-threatening injuries and were treated at local hospitals.
Tarpinian-Jachym succumbed to his injuries on Tuesday, July 1. Police recovered the suspect vehicle but have made no arrests, offering a $25,000 reward for information leading to a conviction.
Investigators believe the attack was targeted, but Tarpinian-Jachym was not the intended victim, underscoring the indiscriminate nature of urban violence that can claim innocent lives.
Rising Violence in Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., has grappled with elevated violent crime rates in recent years, with 2023 marking a peak of 274 homicides, or 40.9 per 100,000 residents, making it the fourth most dangerous city in the U.S., behind New Orleans, St. Louis, and Detroit.
A House Budget Committee report described 2023 as the city’s worst crime wave in over two decades, citing 950 carjackings and 106 children shot, evoking comparisons to the 1990s crack epidemic.
Notable victims included Democratic Rep. Henry Cuellar, carjacked at gunpoint in October 2023, and former Trump official Mike Gill, killed in February 2024.
While 2024 saw a 31% drop in homicides to 190 and a nearly 50% reduction in carjackings to 498, D.C.’s ranking as the fourth most dangerous city persisted, despite Mayor Muriel Bowser’s claims of progress through targeted policing and community initiatives.
Tarpinian-Jachym’s death, the 85th homicide of 2025, reflects ongoing concerns about public safety in the capital.
