By Dialynn Dwyer
A rising senior at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, who was in Washington, D.C. for a congressional internship, was killed in a shooting in the nation鈥檚 capital, authorities announced.
Eric Tarpinian-Jachym, 21, of Granby, Massachusetts died Tuesday, the Metropolitan Police Department said.
Police responded around 10:28 p.m. on Monday to the sound of gunshots on the 1200 block of 7th Street, the department said. At the scene, the officers found Tarpinian-Jachym, an adult woman, and a 16-year-old boy suffering from gunshot wounds. Tarpinian-Jachym was unconscious, police said, and all three were taken to area hospitals.
Tarpinian-Jachym died Tuesday from his injuries, according to police.
Police said the preliminary investigation indicates Tarpinian-Jachym was not the intended target of the shooting.
鈥淢ultiple suspects exited a vehicle at the intersection of 7th and M Street, Northwest and began firing at a group,鈥 police said.
The vehicle in question has been recovered by investigators, police said.
Tarpinian-Jachym, who was majoring in finance with a minor in political science, was interning for Rep. Ron Estes of Kansas, the congressman鈥檚 office said in a statement. He joined the D.C. office of the Republican congressman in June.
鈥淚 will remember his kind heart and how he always greeted anyone who entered our office with a cheerful smile,鈥 Estes said in a statement. 鈥淲e are grateful to Eric for his service to Kansas鈥 4th District and the country. Please join Susan and me in praying for his family and respecting their privacy during this heartbreaking time.鈥
Massachusetts Congressman Richard Neal, whose district includes Granby, said in a statement he was 鈥渉eartbroken鈥 to learn of Tarpinian-Jachym鈥檚 death.
Tarpinian-Jachym, a graduate of Pope Francis Preparatory School, was pursuing his 鈥減assion for public service鈥 with his internship, the Democrat said.
鈥淎s a lecturer at UMass, I know firsthand the caliber of students who walk through those doors,鈥 Neal said. 鈥淓ric embodied what it means to be part of a community committed to learning, growth, and civic engagement.
鈥淎ny parent will tell you there is no greater pain than the pain of losing a child,鈥 he added. 鈥淎s a father, my thoughts and prayers are with Eric鈥檚 family and loved ones during this difficult time.鈥
A statement from a UMass Amherst spokesperson said the school had learned of 鈥渁 student鈥檚 death in Washington, D.C. and is in communication with the student鈥檚 family鈥 but did not reference Tarpinian-Jachym by name.
鈥淲e extend our deepest condolences to all who knew him and will be communicating with the campus shortly to offer support,鈥 the statement read.
The Metropolitan Police Department is asking anyone with information about the shooting to contact investigators at (202) 727-9099 or text your tip to the Department鈥檚 TEXT TIP LINE at 50411.