Eric Tarpinian-Jachym, a 21-year-old congressional intern, was killed in a drive-by shooting in Washington, D.C., on June 30, 2024. The incident occurred near the Mt Vernon Sq 7th St-Convention Center Metro stop, with multiple witnesses reporting that the shooting was the result of a random act of violence. The Metropolitan Police Department confirmed that Tarpinian-Jachym was not the intended target, but his death has sparked renewed attention to the issue of youth violence in the nation’s capital. His mother, Tamara Jachym, is calling for stricter laws and greater accountability for juvenile offenders, stating that the D.C. Council has failed to address the growing problem of crime in the city.
President Donald Trump has been vocal in his support for law and order, and recently federalized the D.C. police force after a series of high-profile incidents. Jachym expressed gratitude for Trump’s condolences, but emphasized that his administration is taking the issue more seriously than the local Council. ‘The Trump administration is not only taking steps to address the youth crime wave but also acknowledging the impact of Eric’s death,’ Jachym said.
The D.C. Council, however, has yet to respond to calls for legislative action. While there is no official stance from the Council at this time, the issue has become a focal point in ongoing debates over public safety and juvenile justice reform. Tamara Jachym argues that current policies are insufficient, and that the Council must take immediate action to prevent similar tragedies. The increase in juvenile arrests over the past two decades has raised concerns about the effectiveness of current measures.
Recent statistics show that the number of juveniles arrested in D.C. has risen every year since 2000, with over 2,000 minors arrested in both 2023 and 2024. In 2024 alone, juveniles accounted for 51.8% of robbery arrests, and nearly 60% of carjacking arrests involved minors. Metropolitan Police Department Chief Pamela Smith acknowledged the rise in juvenile crime, emphasizing the importance of proactive measures such as the Juvenile Investigative Response Unit. However, Jachym remains skeptical, urging for a more robust legal framework to address the issue of juvenile crime in D.C.
Jachym has also highlighted the recent incident involving two juveniles who were arrested for allegedly assaulting a former Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) employee in August. This case has further fueled her concerns about the lack of accountability for minors involved in violent crimes in the city. ‘If you’re old enough to walk around with a gun and pull a trigger, you’re old enough for the consequences,’ she said, expressing her fear that existing laws are not sufficient to prevent such acts of violence.
The mother’s criticisms reflect a growing frustration among parents and community leaders, who are calling for stronger intervention to curb juvenile violence. While the Trump administration has taken steps to address the issue, the D.C. Council’s inaction has left many in the city feeling that real progress is not being made. As the debate continues, the tragic death of Eric Tarpinian-Jachym remains a stark reminder of the urgent need for effective policy solutions to combat the rising tide of youth crime in Washington, D.C.