A suspect in the murder of a congressional intern in Washington, D.C., is also accused of killing a teenage girl just days after the initial incident, according to police reports.
Eric Tarpinian-Jachym, 21, was serving as an intern for Representative Ron Estes, R-Kan., when he was fatally shot on June 30. He succumbed to his injuries the following day at a hospital. The Metropolitan Police Department stated that the shooting took place in the 1200 block of 7th Street NW. A few days later, on July 4, 17-year-old Zoey Kelley was also tragically shot and killed.
The Metropolitan Police Department identified Naqwan Lucas as a suspect in Tarpinian-Jachym’s murder. On Friday, they disclosed that Lucas is now also facing charges related to Kelley’s death, including premeditated first-degree murder while armed.
Police were called to a residence in Washington, D.C., where they discovered Kelley unresponsive and suffering from a gunshot wound. She was declared dead at the scene.
The Metropolitan Police Department has released additional images of Naqwan Lucas in an effort to locate him.
Currently, Lucas remains at large and has not been apprehended.
Jailen Lucas and Kelvin Thomas Jr. were both arrested in connection with the killing of Tarpinian-Jachym, U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro announced in early September.
Lucas and Thomas have violent records in family court, Pirro said, noting that they are juveniles.
Naqwan Lucas is wanted by the Metropolitan Police Department after allegedly killing Eric Tarpinian-Jachym. (Metropolitan Police Department)
During a news conference in September, Metropolitan Police Department Chief Pamela Smith said she’s confident Lucas will be arrested.
“These two arrests, and a third one pending – I’m confident we’ll get the third one – give Eric’s loved ones some sense of peace as they continue to grieve a tremendous loss. 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,” Smith said.
Police said a woman and 16-year-old boy were shot but survived the July 1 shooting that left Tarpinian-Jachym dead.
Eric Tarpinian-Jachym seen fishing. (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.
