Naqwan Antonio Lucas, 18, of Washington, D.C., has been indicted on charges related to two separate murders that occurred this summer. According to the U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia, Jeanine Ferris Pirro, Lucas faces a 16-count indictment for the June 30 killing of congressional intern Eric Tarpinian-Jachym and a second indictment for the July 4 murder of Zoey Kelley.
Lucas appeared in D.C. Superior Court before Judge Dana Dayson for arraignment on both indictments. He pleaded not guilty and will remain in custody until a status hearing with his co-defendants scheduled for November 7.
Chief Pamela A. Smith of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD), U.S. Marshals Service Director Gadyaces S. Serralta, and FBI Special Agent in Charge Reid Davis joined Pirro in announcing the charges.
“These were predictable homicides based upon the behavior of these individuals and the records that everyone knew about, yet the D.C. Council is interested in protecting not the victims but the criminals under the guise of protecting the innocence of youth,” said U.S. Attorney Pirro. “It’s time for them to start protecting the citizens of the District.”
Authorities arrested Lucas last night in Montgomery Village, Maryland with assistance from members of multiple law enforcement agencies including MPD and U.S. Marshals.
On June 30, Eric Tarpinian-Jachym was shot near 7th and M Street NW while three armed suspects exited a stolen vehicle and fired at two young men nearby; Tarpinian-Jachym was an innocent bystander who died after being shot four times. Five others were also assaulted or injured during this incident.
Two other suspects—Kelvin Thomas Jr., 17, and Jailen Lucas (Naqwan’s brother), also 17—were previously arrested on September 5 and charged as adults with first-degree murder while armed in connection with Tarpinian-Jachym’s death.
On July 4, police responded to a call on Benning Road NE where they found Zoey Kelley dead from a gunshot wound inside an apartment closet.
Last week, authorities announced a $75,000 reward for information leading to Naqwan Lucas’ arrest.
The investigation involves collaboration between MPD, U.S. Marshals Service, and support from FBI Washington Field Office personnel.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Erin M. DeRiso and Anthony Cocuzza are prosecuting these cases.
