Two 17yo's Charged w/Murder in Death of Congressional Intern

[Webster]

American Family News: Two DC teens arrested in murder of congressional intern

WASHINGTON — Two teenagers were arrested Friday on murder charges in the killing of a congressional intern who was struck by stray bullets during a shooting in the nation's capital — a crime that President Donald Trump cited in announcing a law-enforcement surge in Washington.

Eric Tarpinian-Jachym, 21, of Granby, Massachusetts, was fatally shot on the night of June 30 near Washington’s Mount Vernon Square. Both suspects in his killing — Kelvin Thomas Jr. and Jailen Lucas —are 17-year-old juveniles but are charged as adults with first-degree murder while armed, according to U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro.

Police were searching for a third suspect whose name and age weren't immediately released.

Tarpinian-Jachym was an “innocent bystander” who wasn't an intended target of the gunfire, Pirro said at a news conference where she was flanked by D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser and the city's police chief.

“Eric didn't deserve to be gunned down, and the system failed him — the system that felt that juveniles needed to be coddled,” Pirro said. “This killing underscores why we need the authority to prosecute these younger kids, because they're not kids. They're criminals.”

Attorney General Pam Bondi said Friday's arrests are “a testament to President Trump’s efforts to make Washington, D.C., safe again.”

“The Department of Justice will continue our work to prevent other young people from suffering the same fate as Eric,” Bondi said in a statement. “We hope this brings some measure of solace to his family.”

The suspects, both district residents, exited a vehicle at an intersection and shot at two people riding bikes, including a 16-year-old male who was wounded, according to Metropolitan Police Department Commander Kevin Kentish.

Tarpinian-Jachym was struck by four shots. A woman who wasn't a target also was shot but survived, according to Kentish. Surveillance video helped investigators identify the three suspects, he said.

 

[gwolf666]

It's very sad to see such a young life lost due to being in the wrong place at the wrong time. The fact that those responsible are minors yet already involved in such serious crimes reflects a deep-seated social problem. Political statements demonstrate the urgency of taking action, but it's also necessary to work on prevention from the root causes. Hopefully, justice will move forward and Eric's family can find some solace amid this tragedy.

 

[eLdavis]

It is really worrisome when you see young ones killing, this generation is turning into one where killing humans is an easy thing to do which is really sad.

 

[King Belieal]

When people are brandishing guns up and down, they would surely shoot. And they would kill people intentionally or mistakenly.

 

[Starmix]

There are many shooting incidents in the USA from state to state. It's overwhelming and almost daily there's a news of killing. Moms kill their kids or kids kill their moms. One major cause might be drug addiction. The killers of the intern are so young to become murderers. They will never enjoy a teen life and a life with a career.

 

[oliver991]

This is a serious situation. Two teenagers were charged and are being treated as adults because a person died. When something like this happens, the law focuses on the result of the act. The case shows how quickly violence affects many lives. You see both a loss for the victim’s family and two young people facing long consequences at a very early age.

 

[King Belieal]

That's the result of the crime that they committed. And they have to face the consequences of that. They are not too young.

 

[Starmix]

Some teens in the USA aren't afraid to kill, they are bringing a gun, perhaps even in their sleep, their gun is beside them. Some of them are exploited and badly influenced by addiction and on what they see on games or movies.