Congressional intern for Kansas Republican shot and killed by stray bullet in DC

A 21-year-old congressional intern for Rep. Ron Estes of Kansas was shot and killed by a stray bullet in Washington, DC, on Monday evening, according to police.

Eric Tarpinian-Jachym, a rising senior at University of Massachusetts Amherst in the Isenberg School of Management, was shot alongside two other victims when multiple suspects emerged from their vehicle and opened fire, the Metropolitan Police Department said.

Tarpinian-Jachym, who police said was not the intended target, was unconscious when authorities arrived at the scene. The other victims, a woman and a 16-year-old boy, were both conscious.

All three were transported to a nearby hospital for treatment, but Tarpinian-Jachym died Tuesday, the department said.

The other two victims were treated for non-life-threatening injuries, police said.

Estes and his wife Susan offered their condolences to Tarpinian-Jachym’s family in a statement.

“I will remember his kind heart and how he always greeted anyone who entered our office with a cheerful smile. We are grateful to Eric for his service to Kansas’ 4th District and the country,” Estes said.

Tarpinian-Jachym was pursuing a BBA in Finance with a minor in Political Science, according to his LinkedIn. He was a dedicated public servant with four years of varied government experience under his belt.

He was set to earn his typical four-year degree early, according to his LinkedIn.

The vehicle used by the gunmen was found, but no arrests have been made, police said.

The department is offering a reward up to $25,000 for any information that leads to the group’s arrest and convictions, which is usually offered for any homicide in the district.