A third suspect has been arrested in the brutal murder of a 21-year-old Republican congressional intern, highlighting the deadly crime wave that has plagued Washington D.C. under failed liberal policies.
Third Arrest Made in Congressional Intern Murder Case
U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro announced Thursday that authorities arrested 18-year-old Naqwan Lucas in Germantown, Maryland, on Wednesday night. Lucas faces charges of premeditated first-degree murder while armed in the death of Eric Tarpinian-Jachym, a 21-year-old college student who was serving as a congressional intern. The suspect pleaded not guilty during his Thursday court appearance, marking another chapter in this devastating crime that shocked the nation’s capital.
Today, my office announced that Naqwan Lucas has been charged for the murder of 21-year-old congressional intern Eric Tarpinian-Jachym and for the murder of 17-year-old Zoey Kelley.
These were predictable homicides based upon the behavior of these individuals and the records… pic.twitter.com/IZyXNZImmx
— Jeanine Pirro (@JudgeJeanine) October 30, 2025
Young Conservative’s Life Cut Short by Senseless Violence
Tarpinian-Jachym was pursuing his passion for public service through a summer internship with Rep. Ron Estes, R-Kans., when he was fatally shot near a downtown transit station in late June. The young man’s dedication to conservative principles and his country made his death particularly heartbreaking for those who knew him. Pirro emphasized the victim’s commitment to his work, stating that his life “was about being an intern and living in Washington,” highlighting how this promising conservative voice was silenced by criminal violence.
Multiple Victims Linked to Suspect’s Crime Spree
Lucas is also expected to face charges in the fatal shooting of 17-year-old Zoe Kelly, who was killed during the same week as Tarpinian-Jachym. Authorities have not revealed a motive for Kelly’s murder but confirmed the connection to Lucas. This pattern suggests a dangerous individual was allowed to roam free in the nation’s capital, raising serious questions about public safety measures and law enforcement priorities in D.C. under previous failed leadership policies.
🇺🇸 D.C. BLOOD, POLITICS & BULLETS
The murder of 21-year-old congressional intern Eric Tarpinian-Jachym has gone from tragedy to political talking point – and now, to its 3rd indictment.
Naqwan Antonio Lucas, 18, is the latest teen charged with 1st-degree murder in the June… pic.twitter.com/Q895eG6kFP
— Alexkennedy (@Alexkennedy310) October 31, 2025
Justice System Finally Taking Action Against Juvenile Criminals
Two other suspects were arrested last month in connection with Tarpinian-Jachym’s murder: Lucas’ younger brother Jalen Lucas and Colin Thomas, both 17 years old. Both juveniles will be tried as adults, representing a welcome shift toward holding young criminals accountable for their heinous actions. This decision reflects a more serious approach to violent crime that many conservatives have long advocated, moving away from the soft-on-crime policies that have plagued liberal-run cities across America.
The timing of this arrest holds special significance for the victim’s family, as Pirro noted that Tarpinian-Jachym’s birthday occurred just two days before Lucas’ capture. Speaking with the victim’s mother, Pirro shared that she believed “it was an angel that came down and helped the police to make an arrest in this case,” providing some measure of comfort to a grieving family seeking justice for their son’s senseless murder.