A dangerous 18-year-old murder suspect who gunned down a congressional intern and his own teenage girlfriend in separate D.C. shootings has finally been captured after months on the run, exposing the deadly consequences of unchecked youth violence plaguing our nation’s capital.
Story Highlights
- Naqwan Antonio Lucas, 18, arrested for murdering congressional intern Eric Tarpinian-Jachym and girlfriend Zoey Kelley, 17
- Two separate shootings occurred within four days in June and July 2025, sparking massive manhunt
- Lucas evaded capture for months before arrest in Maryland following $75,000 reward offer
- Congressional intern was innocent victim of stray gunfire in targeted gang-style attack
- Multi-agency law enforcement collaboration led to successful apprehension of all three suspects
Double Murder Suspect Finally Apprehended
Naqwan Antonio Lucas was arrested without incident in Germantown, Maryland, on October 29, 2025, ending a months-long manhunt that gripped the D.C. area. The 18-year-old suspect faces a 16-count indictment including two counts of first-degree murder while armed for the separate killings of Eric Tarpinian-Jachym, a 21-year-old congressional intern, and Zoey Kelley, his 17-year-old girlfriend. Lucas was arraigned in D.C. Superior Court the following day, marking the culmination of a complex investigation that required coordination between multiple federal and local agencies.
The arrest came after authorities offered a substantial $75,000 reward for information leading to Lucas’s capture, demonstrating the serious priority law enforcement placed on bringing this dangerous fugitive to justice. U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro praised the collaborative effort between the Metropolitan Police Department, FBI, and U.S. Marshals Service that made the arrest possible.
Innocent Congressional Intern Killed by Gang Violence
Eric Tarpinian-Jachym, who worked as an intern for Representative Ron Estes (R-KS), was tragically killed on June 30, 2025, in what authorities describe as a targeted attack that went horribly wrong. The University of Massachusetts Amherst graduate was struck by stray gunfire in the 1200 block of 7th Street NW while the suspects attempted to shoot members of a rival group. Two other individuals were wounded in the same incident, highlighting the reckless disregard for innocent life displayed by these criminals.
The congressional intern died the following day from his injuries, cutting short a promising career in public service. Representative Estes issued a statement mourning Tarpinian-Jachym’s death, emphasizing his academic achievements and dedication to serving the American people. This senseless killing demonstrates how gang violence threatens the safety of law-abiding citizens who simply find themselves in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Girlfriend Murder Reveals Calculating Criminal Mind
Just four days after the congressional intern shooting, Lucas allegedly murdered his own girlfriend, 17-year-old Zoey Kelley, on July 4, 2025. Kelley’s body was discovered inside a home on Benning Road NE, concealed in a storage container within a closet, suggesting Lucas attempted to hide evidence of his crime. This calculated effort to conceal the murder reveals a cold-blooded criminal mindset that posed an ongoing threat to the community.
The fact that Lucas could kill his own girlfriend so soon after the first murder demonstrates the escalating pattern of violence that made his capture critically important. Two other suspects, 17-year-olds Kelvin Thomas and Jalien Lucas, were arrested on September 5, 2025, and charged as adults in connection with the congressional intern’s murder, indicating the involvement of a criminal crew known as the “Tyler House.”
This case underscores the urgent need for stronger measures to combat youth violence and gang activity in Washington, D.C. The swift coordination between law enforcement agencies and the successful prosecution efforts led by the U.S. Attorney’s Office demonstrate that when authorities work together effectively, dangerous criminals can be brought to justice despite their attempts to evade capture.
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18-year-old charged with murder of congressional intern and teen girl in DC days apart
