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GOP Aide Murdered In DC Shooting

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A senseless urban shooting claimed the life of a Republican congressman’s aide this week.

Police responded to the 1200 block of 7th Street, Northwest at approximately 10:28 p.m. on Monday night where they discovered the body of Eric Tarpinian-Jachym, a 21-year-old University of Massachusetts Amherst student who was interning in the office of Kansas Rep. Ron Estes (R-KS).

An adult female and a 16-year-old male were also shot in the altercation and taken to an area hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

According to the Metropolitan Police Department, a car halted near the location and the occupants exited their vehicles before opening fire on a group of bystanders. Tarpinian-Jachym is not believed to have been a target of the assailants, authorities say.

Tarpinian-Jachym was a rising senior at Massachusetts’s flagship university and would have graduated with the class of 2026. He was majoring in finance with a minor in political science.

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

Phillip Peterson, a friend of Tarpinian-Jachym, told Fox News he “was a very easy-going person to be around.”

“We met in early January and we really started to hit things off,” Peterson said. “After the program we discussed becoming roommates, but I didn’t want to move back to D.C. because I despise the culture so much. Unfortunately that fell through. I legitimately do regret now not going back to D.C. just so I could have spent more time with my friend.”

In addition to his internship with Estes, Tarpinian-Jachym participated in The Fund for American Studies, a fellowship which confirmed his hometown of Aberdeen, Mississippi.

“The Fund for American Studies is heartbroken at the tragic and untimely death of Eric Tarpinian-Jachym. Eric was one of a select group of students who participated in the Washington Fellowship held January to April 2025,” the group said. “He was a hardworking intern, a dedicated student and was well thought of by his peers. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends.”

Chris Ryan, a representative with the Massachusetts Republican Party, said in a statement, “The loss of DC Congressional student intern and Granby resident Eric Tarpinian-Jachym is a loss for Massachusetts and our nation. His family is now without its son, and the University of Massachusetts Amherst will be missing a promising young graduate from its Class of 2026.”

He went on to say that “The Massachusetts Republican Party extends its deepest sorrows to his family and the office of Rep. Ron Estes (R-KS), all of whom are mourning the passing of this bright and talented young man.”

The Metropolitan Police Department is offering a $25,000 for tips leading to the arrest and conviction of the shooter, which may be called in at (202) 727-9099.