In a significant development, DNA evidence has reportedly connected two teenagers to the tragic shooting of a University of Massachusetts student who was working as a congressional intern in Washington, D.C. last summer. Prosecutors shared these findings during a recent court session.
At a status hearing in Washington, D.C. Superior Court, Judge Danya Dayson was informed by government attorneys that forensic testing on shell casings from the crime scene revealed an “overwhelming statistical match” to one of the suspects, Jailen Lucas. Additionally, they stated that DNA evidence also implicates Kelvin Thomas in the incident.
The suspects, both 17 years old at the time of the crime, are facing adult charges of first-degree murder while armed. They are accused of killing 21-year-old Eric Tarpinian-Jachym from Granby, Massachusetts.
The shooting of Eric Tarpinian-Jachym occurred on June 30, 2025, as he was pursuing his studies at the University of Massachusetts Amherst and advancing in his internship in Washington. The incident took place near the intersection of 7th and M Street NW.
To bolster the case, prosecutors have completed two rounds of DNA testing and anticipate further expert testimony during the trial. This will include insights into DNA analysis, ballistics, and fingerprint evidence to provide a comprehensive picture of the tragic event.
Tarpinian-Jachym, a rising senior at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, was shot June 30, near the intersection of 7th and M Street NW in Washington.
He was spending the summer in Washington as a congressional intern for Rep. Ron Estes, a Republican from Kansas.
Kelvin Thomas Jr. (L) and Jailen Lucas (R) face first-degree murder charges in the killing of Eric Tarpinian-Jachym on June 30. (The Metropolitan Police Department)
Authorities say three armed suspects exited a stolen vehicle and opened fire at two individuals in the area.
Tarpinian-Jachym, who was not involved, was struck four times. He died the following day.
The Metropolitan Police Department released more pictures of Naqwan Lucas. (The Metropolitan Police Department)
Lucas and Thomas were arrested Sept. 5. On Oct. 31, a third suspect, identified as 18-year-old Naqwan Antonio Lucas of the District of Columbia, was arrested in Montgomery Village and also charged in Tarpinian-Jachym’s murder.
A pretrial hearing is scheduled for May 15. The trial is expected to begin in February. Tarpinian-Jachym’s mother declined to comment when contacted by Fox News Digital.
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