Pirro announces third suspect in death of congressional intern has been arrested

U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro on Thursday announced that authorities have arrested a third suspect in the death of a 21-year-old congressional intern earlier this year.

Two other suspects were arrested last month in the death of college student and intern Eric Tarpinian-Jachym, who died in late June after sustaining a fatal gunshot wound during a shooting near a downtown transit station.

Officials told reporters that 18-year-old Naqwan Lucas was arrested in Germantown, Maryland, on Wednesday night and has been charged with premeditated first-degree murder while armed. He pleaded not guilty at a court appearance Thursday.

“[Tarpinian-Jachym's] life was about being an intern and living in Washington,” Pirro said at a press conference, per Politico. “I spoke to his mother again today. His birthday was two days ago. And she thought that it was an angel that came down and helped the police to make an arrest in this case.”

Tarpinian-Jachym was in the nation's capital for a summer internship with Rep. Ron Estes, R-Kans.

Lucas is also expected to be charged in the fatal shooting of 17-year-old Zoe Kelly, who was killed the same week as Tarpinian-Jachym. Authorities have not commented on a motive for Kelly's death, but linked it to Lucas.

Lucas’ younger brother Jalen Lucas and Colin Thomas, who are both 17-years-old, were the other suspects arrested in connection with Tarpinian-Jachym’s death. They will be tried as adults.

Misty Severi is a news reporter for Just The News. You can follow her on X for more coverage.