Handgun Linked to DC Congressional Intern's Murder Recovered in Stolen Car Stop
Police recovered a 9mm handgun connected to the June killing of 21-year-old congressional intern Eric Tarpinian-Jachym. Three teenagers were arrested after a traffic stop in Northwest Washington.
Weapon tied to intern's fatal shooting found during traffic stop in NW Washington
Washington D.C. police have recovered a handgun linked to the shooting death of Eric Tarpinian-Jachym, a 21-year-old congressional intern killed last June, nbcwashington.com reports.
The weapon was found on 21 October when U.S. Park Police pulled over a stolen Honda on North Street in Northwest Washington, D.C. Officers made three arrests and searched the vehicle, discovering two 9mm handguns, both fitted with extended magazines and "giggle switches" — devices capable of converting a semi-automatic pistol into an automatic weapon.
The three suspects charged in connection with Tarpinian-Jachym's killing fired 79 rounds during the attack. Two used rifles; one used a 9mm pistol. Until the October traffic stop, none of the weapons used in the shooting had been recovered, despite three earlier arrests.
Prosecutors notified defence attorneys in a letter that DNA testing will be conducted on the recovered firearm, magazines and bullets to determine whether the evidence can be linked to any of the suspects currently facing murder charges.
D.C. Police have charged Kelvin Thomas Jr. and brothers Naqwan and Jailen Lucas with first-degree murder. Attorneys for Thomas Jr. and the Lucas brothers were contacted by News4; only one responded, declining to comment.
Eric's mother, Tamarra Tarpinian-Jachym, spoke outside court following the disclosure. "It took the wind out of my lungs, I was in shock," she said. "If it is accurate information based on what they filed in court, it's just really overwhelming. His birthday was Wednesday."
She added: "I just don't want people to forget — he was shot at 10:28 and his birthday is 10/28. His dad bought him a Dunkin refresher, and it's still sitting on our dining room table with his butter crunch donut that he loved to have."
Tarpinian-Jachym told News4 that at least two more illegal weapons are now off the street and unable to cause further harm.
The U.S. Attorney's Office confirmed the recovered weapon is part of an active investigation but declined to comment further.
The three individuals arrested during the traffic stop are aged 16, 17 and 18, according to Park Police. One has been charged as an adult; the other two are being prosecuted as juveniles.
Source: Google News MT — Crime (en)