D.C. Police Recover Gun From Intern Killing
Prosecutors will run DNA tests on the weapon found in a stolen Honda to link it to three men charged with first-degree murder.
By Pedro Tanaka ·
U.S. Park Police recovered a 9 mm handgun on Oct. 21 that is linked to the June 2025 shooting that killed congressional intern Eric Tarpinian-Jachym. The weapon was found inside a stolen Honda parked along North Street in Northwest Washington. Officers also seized a second 9 mm pistol, two extended magazines, and two giggle switches from the vehicle. The giggle switches allow the semi-automatic firearms to fire in full automatic mode.
The discovery marks the first physical evidence recovered from the crime scene in more than a year. Prosecutors sent a letter to defense attorneys stating they will conduct DNA testing on the gun, magazines, and bullets. The goal is to determine if the forensic evidence connects to Kelvin Thomas Jr. or the Lucas brothers. Thomas and brothers Naqwan and Jailen Lucas are currently awaiting trial on first-degree murder charges.
Tamarra Tarpinian-Jachym, Eric’s mother, spoke to the court regarding the new development. She described feeling overwhelmed by the update, noting that her son’s birthday had just passed that week. Tarpinian-Jachym said the recovery of at least two illegal guns removes them from the streets. She also recalled that Eric was shot at 10:28 a.m., a time that coincides with the digits of his October 28 birthday.
The shooting occurred in June of last year when three gunmen opened fire near the U.S. Capitol. Witnesses and investigators determined the shooters fired a total of 79 rounds. Two of the attackers used rifles while the third used a 9 mm pistol. Until this month, police had arrested three suspects but had not located any of the firearms used in the attack.
The U.S. attorney’s office confirmed the recovered weapon is now part of an active investigation. The department declined to provide further details on the status of the case. Defense attorneys for Thomas and the Lucas brothers were contacted for comment. Only one representative responded, stating the team had no comment at this time.
The gun was found in a car occupied by three teens aged 16, 17, and 18. Park Police arrested all three individuals during the Oct. 21 traffic stop. One of the teens has been charged as an adult, while the other two are being processed as juveniles. The stolen Honda remains central to the ongoing probe into the intern’s death.
Source: NBC4 Washington
