On the night of Monday, June 30, 2025, a senseless burst of gunfire in the heart of Washington, D.C. ended the life of a promising young man with an unwavering sense of civic duty. Eric Tarpinian-Jachym, a 21-year-old congressional intern from Granby, Massachusetts, was killed in a drive-by shooting that authorities say targeted others in his vicinity. Tarpinian-Jachym, a rising senior at the University of Massachusetts Amherst studying finance and political science, had been working in the office of U.S. Representative Ron Estes (R-Kan.) for just under a month. His killing, widely mourned and sharply condemned, has become a grim reminder of the indiscriminate reach of urban gun violence—and the devastating price of mistaken identity.
The incident occurred at approximately 10:28 p.m. near the intersection of 7th and M Streets NW, a neighborhood not unfamiliar with late-night activity and bursts of unpredictable violence. According to the Metropolitan Police Department, multiple assailants exited a vehicle and opened fire on a group gathered at the corner. In the fusillade of bullets, three individuals were hit: an adult woman, a 16-year-old male, and Eric Tarpinian-Jachym. Unlike the other two victims, who were conscious and alert when first responders arrived, Tarpinian-Jachym was found unresponsive. He was rushed to a nearby hospital but succumbed to his injuries the following day, July 1.
Authorities swiftly made clear that Tarpinian-Jachym was not the intended target of the attack. The violence, they believe, was the result of a targeted shooting aimed at individuals within the group—but tragically ensnared a bystander whose only crime was standing in the wrong place at the wrong time. A suspect vehicle has since been recovered, and while the investigation remains ongoing, the District has offered a reward of up to \$25,000 for information leading to arrests and convictions. The manhunt continues, but for Eric’s family and community, no development will erase the searing loss.
Eric Tarpinian-Jachym was described by colleagues, friends, and mentors as kind-hearted, intelligent, and driven by an innate desire to serve the public. At UMass Amherst, where he majored in finance and minored in political science, he was known for his thoughtful engagement in class and his eagerness to contribute meaningfully to policy discussions. Those close to him say his internship on Capitol Hill was more than a stepping stone—it was the realization of a long-held aspiration to work at the intersection of numbers and governance.
“Eric was an exceptional young man with a kind heart who always welcomed visitors to our office with a cheerful smile,” said Rep. Ron Estes in a statement following his death. “We are deeply grateful for his service to Kansas’ 4th District and our country. His loss is a tragic reminder of the senseless violence that continues to affect our communities.”
Estes, who has represented Kansas in the House of Representatives since 2017 and serves on several key committees including Ways and Means, Budget, and the Joint Economic Committee, also chairs the Social Security Subcommittee. The congressman’s office, like many others on Capitol Hill, hosts summer interns eager to gain experience in the legislative process. For Eric, this internship represented not only professional ambition but also a personal journey—one that ended far too soon.
The details of the shooting underscore the growing concern about gun violence in urban spaces, especially incidents involving mistaken identity or proximity to targeted attacks. In this case, the rapid exit of armed suspects from a vehicle and their decision to open fire on a public street represents a troubling normalization of street-level conflict resolution through firearms. That such an event could occur mere blocks from national monuments, within a city governed by America’s federal institutions, speaks to the disturbing reach of violent crime.
Shootings in Washington, D.C. are not uncommon, though the city has seen varied patterns in recent years. Metropolitan Police statistics from the past half-decade indicate a rise in violent crimes involving firearms in 2020 and 2021, followed by mixed trends as law enforcement and community programs attempted to address root causes. While shootings in high-profile, public locations like Oglethorpe Park or Dupont Circle often garner the most media attention, violence like that which claimed Eric’s life typically occurs in less visible but equally vulnerable neighborhoods.
The broader social implications of Eric Tarpinian-Jachym’s death are as painful as they are urgent. His killing places him among a growing list of young, educated individuals whose lives have been cut short by a bullet meant for someone else. And while gun violence continues to claim thousands of American lives each year, the randomness of Eric’s death hits with particular cruelty. He was, by every available measure, a bystander—a non-combatant in a war of unresolved grievances and street-level vendettas that intersect with innocent lives with little warning.
For Eric’s family in Granby, Massachusetts, the loss is immeasurable. They sent their son to Washington with pride and hope, never expecting to receive a call that he was killed just weeks into his internship. Statements from those who knew him speak not only to his academic promise, but to his character: a young man grounded in decency, known for his compassion, his humor, and his conviction that government could be a force for good.
At UMass Amherst, his professors and peers are grieving. Campus administrators have expressed sorrow and support, describing Eric as a “bright star” and a role model for other students. Plans are underway to honor his memory, with faculty proposing scholarships in his name and student leaders organizing vigils. The Finance Department, in particular, noted Eric’s dual passion for analytical rigor and political advocacy—a rare blend that made him both an effective communicator and a deep thinker.
The attack that killed Eric also injured two others, both of whom remain unnamed in public statements but were treated for their injuries. The presence of a 16-year-old male among the victims adds another dimension to the story: youth violence. The risk young people face from gunfire in urban areas has become a persistent and growing concern for city officials, who cite lack of opportunity, systemic poverty, and inadequate mental health support as key contributors.
The shooters in this case, as described by police, opened fire on a group with apparent intent. That they did so in a public area, in front of witnesses, and without regard for bystanders, illustrates the brazenness of some of today’s most violent acts. Whether the attackers knew anyone in the group personally, or were acting on mistaken intelligence, remains unknown. What is clear is that Eric was not their target—and that alone is enough to shatter any illusion of safety for those who live, work, and intern in the city.
The suspect vehicle has since been recovered by police, though no arrests have yet been made. Investigators are analyzing forensic evidence, surveillance footage, and witness statements in an effort to identify and apprehend those responsible. In an effort to encourage cooperation, the Metropolitan Police Department is offering a reward of up to \$25,000 for information that leads to arrests and convictions. It is an amount that reflects both the gravity of the crime and the urgency with which justice is sought.
For members of Congress, Eric’s death has sounded an alarm. Capitol Hill has long been considered a place of public service and safety—where the nation’s brightest young minds come to learn and lead. That one of those minds was extinguished in an act of random violence has shaken staffers, interns, and elected officials alike. Security briefings for interns may now include additional emphasis on off-hours safety, route planning, and neighborhood awareness. But no amount of preparation can eliminate the threat posed by indiscriminate gunfire.
Eric’s funeral will likely be attended by local dignitaries, congressional representatives, university officials, and scores of classmates and family friends. His obituary will speak of a young man taken before his time, of academic success and quiet leadership, of a son and brother whose life trajectory pointed unmistakably toward service. And yet, beneath the language of memorial will run an undercurrent of national failure: that a 21-year-old intern, full of purpose, could be killed in the capital city of the most powerful democracy in the world, simply because he was standing nearby.
In the days following the shooting, social media lit up with tributes to Eric. Staffers in Rep. Estes’ office wore black ribbons. Classmates changed profile photos. Messages poured in from bipartisan members of Congress, unified in their grief, if not in policy. Among the most poignant tributes came from other interns, who saw in Eric a reflection of themselves: hopeful, motivated, idealistic. That he died while fulfilling a dream they all shared is a loss felt not only personally but symbolically.
Eric Tarpinian-Jachym will not be another forgotten statistic. His death has ignited a call for greater protections, renewed focus on urban violence prevention, and a solemn recommitment to ensuring that service to country is not paid with one’s life. As his community mourns, so too must a nation confront the cost of bullets that never find their intended targets—and the innocent lives they so often claim instead.