WASHINGTON – Eric Tarpinian-Jachym, a 21-year-old UMASS Amherst student from Massachusetts was tragically killed in Northwest D.C. near the convention center.

Tarpinian-Jachym, a finance major was in the nation’s capital this summer interning for Congressman Ron Estes after completing a fellowship with The Fund for American Studies.

Family speaks out:

His mother, Tamara Tarpinian-Jachym says Eric worked tirelessly to secure the internship.

“He banged on doors down in D.C.. He really wanted to work for a congressman,” she said. “He wasn’t partisan. He didn’t care. Democrat or Republican.”

Tamara says her son dreamed of one day living and working in Washington, D.C. 

But Eric’s bright future was cut short.

The backstory:

According to D.C. police, officers responded to the 1200 block of 7th Street, Northwest, after hearing the sound of gunfire just before 10:30 p.m. 

Upon arrival, officers found an adult man, unconscious and suffering from a gunshot wound. He was taken to an area hospital by D.C. Fire and EMS where he was later pronounced dead. 

While investigating, officers also found an adult woman and a juvenile male, both conscious and breathing but also suffering from gunshot wounds. They were also taken to local hospitals for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries. 

The victim was later identified as Eric Tarpinian-Jachym, a resident of Granby, Massachusetts. He was in D.C. working as an intern for the office of U.S. Congressman Ron Estes. 

What they’re saying:

“I was prepared to stay in D.C. and help him in the hospital, but it didn’t work out that way,” his mother said.

His sister, Angela Tarpinian-Jachym remembers him as selfless and determined.

“Eric would do anything for anybody,” she said. “He had big plans and big dreams. We had big plans and big dreams with him.”

Now the family is asking the community for help in finding justice.

“My brother had to pay the ultimate price,” Angela said. “I know Eric would want justice for himself because he wasn’t ready to leave.”

What you can do:

Police continue to investigate the shooting. Anyone with information is asked to come forward by calling (202) 727-9099 or text your tip to the Department’s tip line at 50411. 

WASHINGTON D.C. (KSNB) – Just under 2% or 795,839 acres of Nebraska’s farmland is owned by foreign entities, according to a report from the University of Nebraska.

That figure was enough to prompt a high-profile meeting this week between Governor Jim Pillen and several members of President Donald Trump’s cabinet to discuss measures aimed at protecting American agriculture from foreign threats.

The conversation comes partially in the wake of a U.S. Department of Agriculture report that cited recent charges from the Department of Justice against foreign nationals, including a member of the Chinese Communist Party, accused of smuggling a noxious fungus into the U.S. Officials say the fungus, used as a potential agroterrorism weapon, has caused billions of dollars in crop losses globally.

Governor Pillen, a longtime advocate for securing family farms, says Nebraska has already taken steps to prevent foreign adversaries from acquiring farmland in the state.

“In my first year in ‘23, we were able to pass legislation that took all Chinese equipment off telecommunications across the state,” Pillen said. “That was the first step. The second step was making sure that no land is purchased by any foreign adversaries in the state of Nebraska.”

Pillen emphasized that safeguarding farmland is about more than just ownership, it’s about national security.

“I believe in family farm security. I believe in food security, and that equates to national security,” he said. “We all in agriculture risk everything we have every single day.”

State and federal officials say more policy steps could follow as lawmakers weigh how best to protect America’s agricultural supply from international threats.

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WASHINGTON – Large gatherings of teens have been causing disturbances since the start of summer and this past weekend, they were seen setting off illegal fireworks in Navy Yard. Neighbors are concerned, and on Monday, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser took action.

What we know:

Teens gathering late at night, getting into fights and stealing from stores has been an ongoing concern. The incidents led the D.C. Council to approve a curfew that moves the citywide start time up to 11 p.m. for anyone 17 and younger.

Now, after what police are calling unlawful behavior by a large crowd of teens over the weekend, Mayor Bowser has signed an emergency youth curfew into law.

Dig deeper:

On Friday night, police responded to multiple calls reporting disorderly behavior near the corner of First and M Streets, where large groups of teens had gathered and were setting off illegal fireworks.

Over Friday and Saturday night, police made 28 arrests — 20 of them teenagers — with most facing fireworks-related charges. Officers recovered roughly 400 fireworks, including Roman candles, firecrackers and firecracker rockets.

 The new curfew doesn’t just move the start time earlier from 12:01 a.m. to 11 p.m. citywide, it also introduces “enforcement zones,” where police can implement an 8 p.m. curfew if needed.

What they’re saying:

Residents told FOX 5 they’re hoping the new rules will help restore peace in their neighborhood.

“It was real bad. his kid was throwing fireworks and two into the train station into the crowd. People was scared…running and stuff,” neighbor John Kennedy said. 

“Definitely makes you think twice when you’re going out. In the evening, just wanting to be aware of your surroundings and you kind of see the big groups on their bikes and things like that, especially if a few blocks over in the open field area that’s been a big issue in the neighborhood,” said Grace Mccaffery. 

“It’s pretty concerning. I have friends that walk their dog and they say that like if they’re more afraid of like groups of young people than they are of any like one adult coming up to them are approaching them, you know, assaulting them or anything like that,” Kat Stout told FOX 5.

What’s next:

 The emergency legislation is now in effect for 90 days, running through July and August.