The U.S. Marshals Service announced the arrest of 18-year-old Naqwan Lucas in the Montgomery Village area of Montgomery County on Wednesday, ending a months-long manhunt for the final suspect wanted in the June 30 shooting death of 21-year-old congressional intern Eric Tarpinian-Jachym in Northwest Washington. While the U.S. Marshals Service and Department of Justice listed the arrest location as Montgomery Village, both Fox News and The Washington Post reported it occurred in Germantown, Maryland, neighboring communities in upper Montgomery County, and law enforcement has not released a specific address.
Lucas was the last of three suspects sought in connection with the killing of Tarpinian-Jachym, an intern for Representative Ron Estes (R-Kansas). Investigators say Lucas, his brother Jailen Lucas, and Kelvin Thomas were involved in an altercation that escalated into gunfire. Tarpinian-Jachym, of Granby, Massachusetts, was not the intended target, according to police.
Two suspects were arrested on September 5, but Lucas had remained on the run for nearly two months. He was also wanted in a separate homicide, the July 4 shooting death of a 17-year-old girl on Benning Road NE in Washington, D.C.
According to the U.S. Marshals Service, investigators developed information leading them to an address in Montgomery Village, where Lucas was believed to be staying. Members of the Counter Gang Unit confirmed his presence before announcing themselves as law enforcement. When officers entered the residence, a tactical K-9 was deployed. Lucas attempted to flee by jumping out of a window but was quickly apprehended. He sustained injuries from the fall and K-9 encounter and was treated at the scene before being taken into custody.
Once medically cleared, Lucas was transported to the D.C. Metropolitan Police Department’s Homicide Branch for processing. “This arrest shows the relentless dedication we have to investigate and apprehend the most violent, dangerous fugitives,” said U.S. Marshals Service Director Gadyaces S. Serralta.
