Promising 21-Year-Old Congressional Intern Killed in D.C. Shooting: ‘He Had Big Plans to Serve’
A bright future in public service was cut tragically short this week when 21-year-old Eric Tarpinian-Jachym, a congressional intern and rising senior at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, was fatally shot in Washington, D.C.
The shooting occurred late Tuesday night, July 1, near the Walter E. Washington Convention Center. According to police, Eric was not the intended target but was struck in a hail of bullets around 10:30 p.m.—a victim of being in the wrong place at the wrong time.
A 16-year-old boy and an adult woman were also hit in the gunfire but are expected to recover. Eric was found unconscious at the scene and later died at the hospital.
Eric was spending his summer interning with Kansas Congressman Ron Estes while pursuing a degree in finance with a minor in political science. Hailing from Granby, Massachusetts, he was deeply passionate about government and had envisioned a lifelong career in public service.
News of his death has shaken both Capitol Hill and his hometown community.
“I will remember his kind heart and how he always greeted anyone who entered our office with a cheerful smile,” said Rep. Estes in a heartfelt statement. “We are grateful to Eric for his service to Kansas’ 4th District and the country.”
Massachusetts Congressman Richard Neal, who also teaches at UMass Amherst, called the incident “heartbreaking.”
As tributes pour in, Eric is being remembered not just for his academic promise and political aspirations, but for his warmth, work ethic, and generosity of spirit. What should have been the beginning of a meaningful career has instead become a sobering reminder of the senseless violence that continues to claim innocent lives.
Eric Tarpinian-Jachym came to Washington, D.C. this summer to serve—driven by a deep belief in government, community, and the power of civic engagement. Just 21 years old, the University of Massachusetts Amherst student was interning on Capitol Hill with Kansas Congressman Ron Estes, pursuing a degree in finance with a minor in political science.
But on the night of July 1, that promising future was stolen.
Eric was fatally shot near the Walter E. Washington Convention Center around 10:30 p.m. According to police, he was not the intended target—just an innocent bystander caught in a spray of gunfire. A 16-year-old boy and an adult woman were also struck but survived. Eric was found unconscious at the scene and later died at the hospital.
The Metropolitan Police Department confirmed Eric’s identity on Wednesday. No arrests have been made, and the motive remains unclear. Detectives believe he was simply in the wrong place at the wrong time. A $25,000 reward is being offered for information leading to an arrest and conviction.
His death has sent shockwaves through Capitol Hill and his hometown of Granby, Massachusetts.
“I will remember his kind heart and how he always greeted anyone who entered our office with a cheerful smile,” said Rep. Estes. “We are grateful to Eric for his service to Kansas’ 4th District and the country.”
Massachusetts Congressman Richard Neal, who also teaches at UMass, reflected on the tragedy:
“Eric was in D.C. interning on Capitol Hill, pursuing his passion for public service. As a lecturer at UMass, I know firsthand the caliber of students who walk through those doors,” Neal said. “Eric embodied what it means to be part of a community committed to learning, growth, and civic engagement.”
He added, “Any parent will tell you there is no greater pain than the pain of losing a child.”
Eric’s death is more than a personal loss—it’s a national one. A young man who believed in the system, who wanted to change it from within, was taken by the very violence that continues to haunt American cities. He was not a headline. He was a son, a student, a colleague, and a friend.
As tributes pour in from lawmakers, classmates, and loved ones, one theme is clear: Eric wasn’t just planning to make a difference—he already was.
Anyone with information is urged to contact the Metropolitan Police Department at (202) 727-9099 or send a text to 50411.