Authorities have apprehended a suspect linked to the murder of a congressional intern and a 17-year-old girl, as confirmed by officials.
Eric Tarpinian-Jachym, aged 21, succumbed to gunshot wounds on June 30, according to Washington, D.C. police. Merely days later, on July 4, 17-year-old Zoey Kelley was also fatally shot, police reported.
Naqwan Lucas, 18, identified as a suspect in both incidents, has been taken into custody, a spokesman for D.C. Courts revealed to Fox News Digital. Lucas faced his arraignment in court on Thursday afternoon.
Following the announcement by the Metropolitan Police Department that Lucas was one of three suspects in Tarpinian-Jachym’s murder, it was disclosed on Friday that he is also being charged with Kelley’s murder. The charges include premeditated first-degree murder while armed.
Images show Tamara and Eric Tarpinian-Jachym (left) alongside suspect Naqwan Lucas (right). (Photo credits: Tamara Tarpinian-Jackym (left); Metropolitan Police Department (right))
Authorities noted that the initial shooting, which was not intended for Tarpinian-Jachym, also resulted in injuries to a 16-year-old male and an adult female. The attack occurred on the 1200 block of 7th Street, Northwest, near the Mt. Vernon Square 7th St-Convention Center Metro station. Officials recounted that several individuals exited a vehicle and opened fire, resulting in Tarpinian-Jachym’s death.
During a press conference on Thursday, U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro said that a total of 79 shots were fired in the shooting that ended up killing Tarpinian-Jachym.
According to Pirro, Kelley was Lucas’ girlfriend.
Pirro said that both homicides were “predictable,” adding that these suspects should have been punished harder for previous crimes. She said that DC City Council members are “complicit” in the juvenile crimes that take place within the district.
Zoey Kelley smiles in an undated picture. (GoFundMe)
“Eric died alone. No mother, no father, no sister. Why? Because three teenagers, two 17, one 18, all accustomed to getting away with criminal behavior because they lived in a district that didn’t take it seriously. They never believed they would be punished. So they kept moving,” Pirro said.
Tarpinian-Jachym was an intern for Rep. Ron Estes, R-Kan.
A GoFundMe set up by Kelley’s loved ones described her as a “bright light in this world — full of life, laughter, and love. Her energy was magnetic, and her smile could brighten the darkest days.”
“Zoey had so much ahead of her — dreams she wanted to pursue, goals she was working toward, and memories still to be made,” the GoFundMe read. “On that devastating day, Zoey was simply walking outside when she became the victim of a violent and tragic act. What was supposed to be an ordinary moment turned into a life-altering one for her family and community. Her passing has left a painful void that words cannot begin to describe.”
Jailen Lucas and Kelvin Thomas Jr. were both previously arrested in connection with the killing of Tarpinian-Jachym.
The Metropolitan Police Department released more pictures of Naqwan Lucas. (Metropolitan Police Department)
Lucas and Thomas have violent records in family court, Pirro said, noting that they are juveniles.
“Eric came to our city with a bright future ahead of him interning in a role where he served the public on Capitol Hill. He deserved an opportunity to return home safely to his family but was senselessly taken from his loved ones,” Metropolitan Police Department Chief Pamela Smith said during a September press conference.
Eric Tarpinian-Jachym seen fishing. (Tamara Jachym )
Eric Tarpinian-Jachym seen celebrating with his mother. (Tamara Jachym )
In an earlier interview with Fox News Digital, Tamara Jachym, Tarpinian-Jachym’s mother, said that police need to arrest the individuals responsible because “they will do it again.”
“I think Eric felt safe. It was early at night. He was in a decent area and this happened. And it’s a shame. And you know, Eric was the 85th victim and now we have an 86,” she added, referring to the number of homicides in Washington, D.C., at the time.
