Mom of intern murdered a mile from the White House warns parents, it was early, he felt safe

The mother of a congressional intern who was killed in Washington, D.C., issued a stark warning about spiraling crime in the nation’s capital.

Eric Tarpinian-Jachym was killed just a mile from the White House last month, and no suspects have yet been arrested. The 21-year-old’s mother warned that “they will do it again” if they are not found and arrested.

“This is a serious crime. A mile from the White House. This isn’t a joke. And then it happened again this weekend,” Tamara Jachym told Fox News Digital in an interview. “You know, the mayor has to get serious with this.”

Eric, a University of Massachusetts Amherst student, was serving as an intern for Rep. Ron Estes, R-Kan., when he was shot on June 30. A 16-year-old male and an adult female were also shot in the incident that occurred on the 1200 block of 7th Street, Northwest, according to the Metropolitan Police Department. Those other victims survived.

“According to investigators, several individuals exited a vehicle and began firing shots at a group of people, which included Tarpinian-Jachym. Tarpinian-Jachym wasn’t the intended target of the shooting, they added,” Fox News reported, noting that 91 people have been killed in Washington, D.C., so far this year, including a three-year-old who was shot while she sat in a car.

“I think Eric felt safe,” his mother said. “It was early at night. He was in a decent area and this happened. And it’s a shame.”

President Donald Trump personally signed a letter of condolence to the family by the chair of the Massachusetts Republican Party, Amy Carnevale.

MA laid to rest a shining star today. It was my honor to hand deliver and read a letter from @realDonaldTrump honoring the life of Eric Tarpinian-Jachym and to be present in the U.S. House Gallery Tues evening as @RepRonEstes & @RepRichardNeal paid tribute to Eric’s legacy. pic.twitter.com/2mXNNG6roL

— Amy Carnevale (@CarnevaleMHD) July 17, 2025

Eric was described as a “very kind, sweet, compassionate young man.”

“He was kind to everybody. He loved the animals. He loved to fish,” she said. “He was just a really special boy. He really loved DC, loved to walk around the streets. He loved to walk to the Wharf and he liked to go out to eat. And he loved the people in D.C.”

Rep. Ron Estes, R-Kan., whose office Eric was serving as an intern, issued a statement about the tragic loss.

“I will remember his kind heart and how he always greeted anyone who entered our office with a cheerful smile,” Estes said. “We are grateful to Eric for his service to Kansas’ 4th District and the country. Please join Susan and me in praying for his family and respecting their privacy during this heartbreaking time.”

A reward of up to $40,000 is being offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction of a suspect or suspects.

The FBI has increased the reward for information in the Northwest DC homicide of Eric Tarpinian-Jachym to $40,000. #DCCrime pic.twitter.com/fFy6svzW21

— DMV News Live (@DCNewsLive) July 8, 2025

“We are aware of the incident and are assisting our law enforcement partners,” an FBI spokesperson said in a statement.

Massachusetts’ Democratic elected leaders were called out for reportedly not reaching out to Eric’s grieving parents.

Editorial: A Deafening Silence from Massachusetts Leaders as a Young Life Is Lost.@MassGovernor should be ashamed.

On July 1st, Eric Tarpinian-Jachym a bright, 21-year-old UMass Amherst senior, summer aide to Congressman Ron Estes, and proud son of Massachusetts was senselessly… pic.twitter.com/8UPBVxWecr

— All Politics is Local with Jon Fetherston (@LocalPoliticsis) July 20, 2025