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The suspect accused of killing a congressional intern and then a 17-year-old girl has been arrested, according to officials.
Eric Tarpinian-Jachym, 21, died after he was shot on June 30, police in Washington, D.C. said. Several days later on July 4, police said 17-year-old Zoey Kelley was killed in a fatal shooting.
One of the suspects in both shootings, 18-year-old Naqwan Lucas, has been arrested, a D.C. Courts spokesman told Fox News Digital. Lucas is scheduled to appear in court on Thursday afternoon for his arraignment.
After being named as one of three suspects in the murder of Tarpinian-Jachym, the Metropolitan Police Department announced Friday that Lucas was also charged in the murder of Kelley. He was indicted on charges of premeditated first-degree murder while armed.
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Police said the first shooting, which didn’t target Tarpinian-Jachym, also left a 16-year-old male and an adult female injured. The shooting happened in the 1200 block of 7th Street, Northwest, near the Mt. Vernon Square 7th St-Convention Center Metro stop. Officials said several people exited a car and began shooting, killing Tarpinian-Jachym.
Tarpinian-Jachym was an intern for Rep. Ron Estes, R-Kan.
A GoFundMe set up by Kelley’s loved ones described her as a “bright light in this world — full of life, laughter, and love. Her energy was magnetic, and her smile could brighten the darkest days.”
“Zoey had so much ahead of her — dreams she wanted to pursue, goals she was working toward, and memories still to be made,” the GoFundMe read. “On that devastating day, Zoey was simply walking outside when she became the victim of a violent and tragic act. What was supposed to be an ordinary moment turned into a life-altering one for her family and community. Her passing has left a painful void that words cannot begin to describe.”
Jailen Lucas and Kelvin Thomas Jr. were both previously arrested in connection with the killing of Tarpinian-Jachym.
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Lucas and Thomas have violent records in family court, Pirro said, noting that they are juveniles.
“Eric came to our city with a bright future ahead of him interning in a role where he served the public on Capitol Hill. He deserved an opportunity to return home safely to his family but was senselessly taken from his loved ones,” Metropolitan Police Department Chief Pamela Smith said during a September press conference.
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In an earlier interview with Fox News Digital, Tamara Jachym, Tarpinian-Jachym’s mother, said that police need to arrest the individuals responsible because “they will do it again.”
“I think Eric felt safe. It was early at night. He was in a decent area and this happened. And it’s a shame. And you know, Eric was the 85th victim and now we have an 86,” she added, referring to the number of homicides in Washington, D.C., at the time.
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