DNA Links Teens to Murder of Congressional Intern in DC

Prosecutors say shell casings and DNA evidence tie suspects Jailen Lucas and Kelvin Thomas to the killing of Eric Tarpinian-Jachym.

Apr. 11, 2026 at 8:35am

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An extreme close-up photograph of a single shell casing, its metallic surface and ridges sharply illuminated by a harsh, direct camera flash against a pitch-black background, conceptually representing the gritty forensic investigation into a violent crime.Forensic evidence links two teens to the tragic murder of a congressional intern in the nation's capital.Washington Today

DNA evidence has linked two teenagers charged in the shooting death of a University of Massachusetts student who was working as a congressional intern in Washington, DC, last summer, prosecutors alleged. Government attorneys said testing on shell casings recovered at the scene produced an 'overwhelming statistical match' to Jailen Lucas, and that DNA also ties Kelvin Thomas to the shooting. The two suspects, who were both 17 at the time, are charged as adults with first-degree murder while armed in the killing of Eric Tarpinian-Jachym, 21, of Granby, Massachusetts.

Why it matters

This case highlights the ongoing challenge of gun violence and youth crime in Washington, DC, and the tragic impact it can have on young lives, including those serving as interns on Capitol Hill. It also raises questions about the criminal justice system's approach to prosecuting minors as adults for serious offenses.

The details

Prosecutors said two rounds of DNA testing have been completed, and additional expert testimony is expected at trial on DNA analysis, ballistics and fingerprint evidence. Tarpinian-Jachym, a rising senior at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, was shot on June 30, 2025 near the intersection of 7th and M Street NW in Washington. He was spending the summer as a congressional intern for Rep. Ron Estes, a Republican from Kansas. Lucas and Thomas were arrested on Sept. 5, and a third suspect, Naqwan Antonio Lucas, was arrested on Oct. 31 and also charged in Tarpinian-Jachym's murder.

  • On June 30, 2025, Tarpinian-Jachym was shot near the intersection of 7th and M Street NW in Washington, DC.
  • Lucas and Thomas were arrested on Sept. 5, 2025.
  • Naqwan Antonio Lucas was arrested on Oct. 31, 2025 and also charged in Tarpinian-Jachym's murder.
  • A pretrial hearing is scheduled for May 15, 2026.
  • The trial is expected to begin in February 2027.

The players

Eric Tarpinian-Jachym

A 21-year-old rising senior at the University of Massachusetts Amherst who was working as a congressional intern for Rep. Ron Estes, a Republican from Kansas, when he was shot and killed in Washington, DC.

Jailen Lucas

One of the two teenagers charged as adults with first-degree murder while armed in the killing of Eric Tarpinian-Jachym. Prosecutors say DNA evidence links him to the crime scene.

Kelvin Thomas

One of the two teenagers charged as adults with first-degree murder while armed in the killing of Eric Tarpinian-Jachym. Prosecutors say DNA evidence ties him to the shooting.

Naqwan Antonio Lucas

The third suspect arrested and charged in the murder of Eric Tarpinian-Jachym.

Rep. Ron Estes

The Republican congressman from Kansas for whom Eric Tarpinian-Jachym was interning in Washington, DC.

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What’s next

A pretrial hearing is scheduled for May 15, 2026, and the trial is expected to begin in February 2027. Additional expert testimony on DNA analysis, ballistics, and fingerprint evidence is expected at the trial.

The takeaway

This tragic case highlights the ongoing challenge of gun violence and youth crime in Washington, DC, and the need for comprehensive solutions to address the root causes and provide support for at-risk youth. It also raises questions about the criminal justice system's approach to prosecuting minors as adults for serious offenses.