A University of Massachusetts-Amherst student who was a Congressional student intern was killed in a triple shooting in Washington, D.C., on Monday.
Eric Tarpinian-Jachym, 21, a rising senior majoring in finance with a minor in political science, passed away at the hospital after being among three people shot in northwest D.C., as reported by the Metropolitan Police Department.
He was a Granby, Massachusetts, resident who started interning for U.S. Rep. Ron Estes, R-Kan., in June, according to police.
Officers from the Third District responded to gunshots on 7th Street and found Tarpinian-Jachym unconscious with gunshot wounds. An adult woman and a 16-year-old boy were also discovered with gunshot injuries at the scene, though they were conscious.
The Massachusetts Republican Party expressed its deepest condolences to his family and the office of Rep. Ron Estes (R-KS), all of whom are grieving the loss of this promising and gifted young man.
Rep. Ron Estes, R-Kan., leaves a meeting of the House Republican Conference at the Capitol Hill Club on Tuesday, June 10, 2025. (Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images)
The Fund for American Studies also expressed sympathies for Tarpinian-Jachym, who was once part of a group of students completing a Washington Fellowship.
“The Fund for American Studies is heartbroken at the tragic and untimely death of Eric Tarpinian-Jachym. Eric was one of a select group of students who participated in the Washington Fellowship held January to April 2025,” the group said. “He was a hardworking intern, a dedicated student and was well thought of by his peers. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends.”
Metropolitan police ask anyone with knowledge of the incident to call them at 202-727-9099 or text TIP LINE to 50411.
A reward of up to $25,000 is available to anyone who provides information leading to the arrest and conviction of the people responsible.
