DEVELOPING STORY: A 21-year-old congressional aide to Rep. Ron Estes of Kansas was gunned down in what Washington, D.C. police say was a random act of violence. Click here to get my breaking news alerts.
Eric Tarpinian-Jachym, who worked for the Wichita congressman, was one of three people who were struck when a car pulled up and started shooting at people near the convention center.
“The preliminary investigation indicates that multiple suspects exited a vehicle at the intersection of 7th and M Street, Northwest and began firing at a group,” the police department said in a statement. “The suspect vehicle has been recovered. Detectives believe the decedent was not the intended target of the shooting.”
A 16-year-old boy and an adult woman were also struck by gunfire. They are expected to survive.
Tarpinian-Jachym was an intern in the congressman’s office out of a program through the University of Massachusetts-Amherst. He was originally from Mississippi. He had been majoring in finance with a minor in political science.
“I will remember his kind heart and how we always greeted anyone who entered our office with a cheerful smile,” Estes said in a statement. “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.”
Emily Gest, the head of media relations for the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, told the Washington Post the school was aware of the shooting and was in contact with Tarpinian-Jachym’s family. “We extend our deepest condolences to all who knew him and will be communicating with the campus shortly to offer support,” Gest said in an email.
His death was the 85th homicide in the District this year, slightly fewer than the 89 at this time last year, the Post reported.