Congressional intern killed in DC shooting; not intended target, police say

An aid to U.S. Rep. Ron Estes, R-Kansas, was shot and killed Monday night in Washington, D.C.

Eric Tarpinian-Jachym, a 21-year-old senior at the University of Massachusetts, was killed when gunfire broke out between two groups, police said.

The Massachusetts native was not the target of the gunfire, which also hit a 16-year-old boy and a woman, according to media reports. He was interning this summer in Estes’ office.

The Wichita congressman released a statement that he and his wife Susan “are sending their prayers and deepest condolences to the family.”

“I will remember his kind heart and how he always greeted anyone who entered our office with a cheerful smile,” Estes said. 

The Massachusetts Republican Party called it “a loss for Massachusetts and our nation.”

Phillip Peterson, a friend of Tarpinian-Jachym, called him “one of the few good, kind-hearted, honest, moral, trustworthy people in Washington D.C.,” and said he was “excited to make a difference.” 

Investigators reportedly found the vehicle used in the shooting in nearby Prince George’s County, Maryland, and police have a lead on suspects, WUSA reported.