WASHINGTON DC —Law enforcement are investigating a fatal shooting that took the life of an intern in the office of Kansas Congressman Ron Estes.
Just before 10:30p.m. Monday, Third District officers responded to the sound of gunshots in the 1200 block of 7th Street, Northwest Washington, DC. according to a media release from Washington Metropolitan Police.
Officers located one adult male, later identified as 21-year-old Eric Tarpinian-Jachym, of Granby, Massachusetts unconscious, and an adult female and a 16-year-old male conscious and breathing suffering from gunshot wounds. DC Fire and EMS responded and transported all three victims to area hospitals.
On Tuesday, after all lifesaving measures failed Tarpinian-Jachym succumbed to his injuries at a hospital, according to Metropolitan Police.
The preliminary investigation indicates that multiple suspects exited a vehicle at the intersection of 7th and M Street, Northwest District of Columbia and began firing at a group. The suspect vehicle has been recovered. Detectives believe Tarpinian-Jachym was not the intended target of the shooting.
"I will remember his kind heart and how he always greeted anyone who entered our office with a cheerful smile," Kansas 4th District Congressman Ron Estes stated in a release from his office. Tarpinian-Jachym worked in Estes office since early June. He was a student at University of Massachusetts Amherst.
"We are grateful to Eric for his service to Kansas' 4th District and the country," Estes wrote.