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CBS News
a day ago
- Politics
- CBS News
UMass student interning in Congress killed in Washington, D.C., shooting
UMass student from Granby shot and killed while interning in DC mourned by community UMass student from Granby shot and killed while interning in DC mourned by community UMass student from Granby shot and killed while interning in DC mourned by community A University of Massachusetts student who was interning in Congress was killed in a shooting in Washington, D.C., this week. Eric Tarpinian-Jachym, 21, of Granby, Massachusetts, was one of three people who were wounded in a shooting near the convention center around 10:30 p.m. Monday. All three were rushed to hospitals. Tarpinian-Jachym died the next day. Metropolitan Police said "multiple suspects" got out of a car at the intersection of 7th and M Street and "began firing at a group." There have been no arrests, but investigators said they found the car. "Not the intended target" "Detectives believe the decedent was not the intended target of the shooting," police said in a statement. Tarpinian-Jachym was a rising senior at UMass. He was spending the summer in Washington as a congressional intern, working for Rep. Ron Estes, a Republican from Kansas. ANNOUNCEMENT: Chris Ryan on behalf of the Massachusetts Republican Party "The loss of DC Congressional student intern... Posted by Massachusetts Republican Party on Wednesday, July 2, 2025 "I will remember his kind heart and how he always greeted anyone who entered our office with a cheerful smile," Estes said in a statement. "We are grateful to Eric for his service to Kansas' 4th District and the country. Please join Susan and me in praying for his family and respecting their privacy during this heartbreaking time." The Massachusetts Republican Party said Tarpinian-Jachym's death is a "loss for Massachusetts and our nation." "His family is now without its son, and the University of Massachusetts Amherst will be missing a promising young graduate from its Class of 2026," the party said in a statement. "The Massachusetts Republican Party extends its deepest sorrows to his family and the office of Rep. Ron Estes (R-KS), all of whom are mourning the passing of this bright and talented young man." "Eric was, by all accounts, enjoying his internship and enjoying learning about public service," said Amy Carnevale, the head of the Massachusetts Republican Party. "He really had a bright future ahead of him." She said Tarpinian-Jachym's parents have traveling to D.C. to identify his body and meet with Estes. Tarpinian-Jachym was majoring in finance with a minor in political science, according to Estes. "He was just so hungry to be the best person he could and reach his potential," said Clark Burg, a friend of Tarpinian-Jachym's from Fund for American Studies, a D.C. fellowship for student leaders. "There's never been quite a guy that I guess I've bonded with so easily or met that's as good as him. He lights up the room wherever he goes, he was such a funny guy, he always had something to say to make you feel better." "A terrible tragedy" A UMass spokesperson said the school is "in communication with the student's family." "We extend our deepest condolences to all who knew him and will be communicating with the campus shortly to offer support," said Emily Gest, an Associate Vice Chancellor for News and Media Relations. Granby is about a half-hour north of Springfield, Massachusetts. Residents who spoke with WBZ-TV said they were devastated to hear of Tarpinian-Jachym's death. "It's a terrible tragedy when anybody loses a life but when a young person just getting started with their life, it's very disheartening," said Granby resident Marilyn Iacconne. "It's just devastating to hear that no one cares about life in general anymore, it just seems like it's tragic all around the whole world," said Granby resident Angela Hodgkins.
American Military News
2 days ago
- Politics
- American Military News
Pic: Congressional intern fatally shot in DC
A congressional intern was shot and killed on Monday night in Washington, D.C., after 'multiple suspects' exited a vehicle and fired at a group of people. In a Wednesday press release, the Metropolitan Police Department said law enforcement officials responded to 'the sound of gunshots' in the 1200 block of 7th Street, Northwest. After arriving at the scene, officials found an adult male unconscious, as well as an adult female and 16-year-old male who were 'conscious and breathing' after 'suffering from gunshot wounds.' The three victims were quickly transported to local hospitals. The Metropolitan Police Department confirmed that the adult victim died from his injuries on Tuesday after 'all lifesaving measures failed.' 'The preliminary investigation indicates that multiple suspects exited a vehicle at the intersection of 7th and M Street, Northwest and began firing at a group,' the Metropolitan Police Department stated. 'The suspect vehicle has been recovered. Detectives believe the decedent was not the intended target of the shooting.' The 21-year-old victim was identified as Eric Tarpinian-Jachym. The office of Rep. Ron Estes (R-Kan.) confirmed on Wednesday that the victim was an intern for Estes and was a 'rising senior' at the University of Massachusetts with a major in finance and a minor in political science. READ MORE: Video/Pic: 2 Israeli diplomats shot, killed in DC by pro-Palestinian suspect 'I will remember his kind heart and how he always greeted anyone who entered our office with a cheerful smile,' Estes stated. 'We are grateful to Eric for his service to Kansas' 4th District and the country. Please join Susan and me in praying for his family and respecting their privacy during this heartbreaking time.' In Wednesday's press release, the Metropolitan Police Department offered a reward of $25,000 for anyone who provided information leading to both the arrest and conviction of the individuals responsible for Tarpinian-Jachym's death. Phillip Peterson, a friend of Tarpinian-Jachym, told Fox News that the congressional intern was 'a very easy-going person to be around.' 'We met in early January and we really started to hit things off. After the program we discussed becoming roommates, but I didn't want to move back to D.C. because I despise the culture so much,' Peterson told Fox News. 'Unfortunately that fell through. I legitimately do regret now not going back to D.C. just so I could have spent more time with my friend.' A picture of Tarpinian-Jachym was shared on X, formerly Twitter, by the Massachusetts Republican Party. A spokesperson for the Massachusetts Republican Party noted that the loss of Tarpinian-Jachym was a 'loss for Massachusetts and our nation.' 'His family is now without its son, and the University of Massachusetts Amherst will be missing a promising young graduate from its Class of 2026,' the state GOP spokesperson said. 'The Massachusetts Republican Party extends its deepest sorrows to his family and the office of Rep. Ron Estes (R-KS), all of whom are mourning the passing of this bright and talented young man.' State Committeeman Chris Ryan on behalf of the Massachusetts Republican Party: "The loss of DC Congressional student intern and Granby resident Eric Tarpinian-Jachym is a loss for Massachusetts and our nation. His family is now without its son, and the University of… — MassGOP (@massgop) July 3, 2025
CBS News
2 days ago
- Politics
- CBS News
UMass student interning in Congress killed in Washington, D.C. shooting
UMass senior from Granby shot and killed while working as congressional intern in DC UMass senior from Granby shot and killed while working as congressional intern in DC UMass senior from Granby shot and killed while working as congressional intern in DC A University of Massachusetts student who was interning in Congress was killed in a shooting in Washington, D.C. this week. Eric Tarpinian-Jachym, 21, of Granby, Massachusetts was one of three people who were wounded in a shooting near the convention center around 10:30 p.m. Monday. All three were rushed to hospitals. Tarpinian-Jachym died the next day. Metropolitan Police said "multiple suspects" got out of a car at the intersection of 7th and M Street and "began firing at a group." There have been no arrests, but investigators said they found the car. "Not the intended target" "Detectives believe the decedent was not the intended target of the shooting," police said in a statement. Tarpinian-Jachym was a rising senior at UMass. He was spending the summer in Washington as a Congressional intern, working for Rep. Ron Estes, a Republican from Kansas. ANNOUNCEMENT: Chris Ryan on behalf of the Massachusetts Republican Party "The loss of DC Congressional student intern... Posted by Massachusetts Republican Party on Wednesday, July 2, 2025 "I will remember his kind heart and how he always greeted anyone who entered our office with a cheerful smile," Estes said in a statement. "We are grateful to Eric for his service to Kansas' 4th District and the country. Please join Susan and me in praying for his family and respecting their privacy during this heartbreaking time." The Massachusetts Republican Party said Tarpinian-Jachym 's death is a "loss for Massachusetts and our nation." "His family is now without its son, and the University of Massachusetts Amherst will be missing a promising young graduate from its Class of 2026," the party said in a statement. "The Massachusetts Republican Party extends its deepest sorrows to his family and the office of Rep. Ron Estes (R-KS), all of whom are mourning the passing of this bright and talented young man." Tarpinian-Jachym was majoring in finance with a minor in political science, according to Estes. UMass statement A UMass spokesperson said the school is "in communication with the student's family." "We extend our deepest condolences to all who knew him and will be communicating with the campus shortly to offer support," said Emily Gest, an Associate Vice Chancellor for News and Media Relations. Granby is about a half-hour north of Springfield, Massachusetts.
Boston Globe
26-03-2025
- Politics
- Boston Globe
Who is a patriot these days? As US celebrates 250th anniversary of Revolution, debate rages.
But as New England and the United States as a whole prepare to celebrate and reexamine the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution and the Declaration of Independence, President Trump's expansive makeover of the federal government has for many of his critics and defenders alike made the question of how to serve one's country a more difficult and urgent one. For some, standing by the president and his vision for the United States represents true patriotism, an opportunity to defend conservative values such as personal responsibility and American dominance. For others, the nation is in great peril, stepping away from its role as an international peacemaker and a champion for democracy and free speech both at home and abroad. For John Milligan, executive director of the Massachusetts Republican Party, Trump's recent reelection underscored that 'people want to be proud of their country. A lot of times, I don't think patriotism is necessarily political, but I think a lot of Democrats nationally highlight the problems in America and what they think is wrong.' Advertisement Patriotism means unashamedly taking pride in the country's history and traditions, Milligan added. 'If you tell people that America is this terrible place that's filled with racism ... that's not a patriotic message,' he said. For many on the left, however, actively battling to protect personal freedoms from assault by the government is a core ingredient of patriotism. Days after Trump was declared the winner of the November election, the American Civil Liberties Union of Massachusetts began calling on local leaders to stand up to his administration, including his vow to carry out mass deportations, as well as any possible efforts to weaken health care services, including abortion access and gender-affirming care. 'People who undermine our democracy and dismantle our system of government, those are false patriots,' said Carol Rose, executive director of the progressive nonprofit organization. 'The true patriot doesn't say freedom for me, and not for you. The true patriot is someone who stands up and defends the rights of every person in the Commonwealth.' Advertisement Who gets to decide who is a patriot? Many Americans are taught as school children that patriotism transcends the routine symbolism of flag-waving and standing for the National Anthem. It requires a willingness to act. Teachers introduce grade-school pupils to stories of American heroes protesting British rule during the Boston Tea Party or Paul Revere galloping on a horse to warn Minute Men of the approach of British troops at the dawn of the Revolution. Patriotism 'means taking up the mantle to effect change and trying to make a better world or society for the people living in it,' said But the idea of patriotism and what it means in everyday life — what constitutes a 'true patriot' — has surfaced, sometimes violently, as Americans have disagreed throughout the country's history about how to show their love for the United States. From the nativist Know Nothing Party in the 1840s, to the Civil War, dismantling of Reconstruction, anti-Communist fervor of the McCarthy era, and the Vietnam War, the ideas of patriotism, freedom, and dissent have clashed repeatedly. More recently, Americans have been bitterly divided over what constitutes free speech on university campuses and elsewhere, the due process rights of immigrants deported without hearings under the Alien Enemies Act, and the Trump administration's attacks on the judiciary, among many other Trump policies that have stirred debate across the United States and the world about this nation's identity and role on the global stage. Advertisement Marty Blatt, emeritus professor of history at Northeastern University, said building consensus around patriotism is complicated because 'too many Americans buy into the notion that patriotism means always agreeing with the US government.' Government should not be in the business of defining patriotism, Blatt said, citing Trump's recent move to dismantle the Institute of Museum and Library Services, which awards grants to cultural institutions. Its new acting director, US Labor Secretary Keith Sonderling, has pledged to 'preserve our country's core values, promote American exceptionalism, and cultivate love of country,' as well as 'restore focus on patriotism.' The very word unsettles Blatt. 'I'm not inclined to identify myself as a patriot. To me, patriotism conjures up American power, nationalism, militarism, and white male supremacy,' Blatt said. 'I think it's important to recognize that aggressive patriotism is a partisan issue and has been for some time in this country.' According to Blatt, a shared sense of patriotism was alive and well during the country's fight against fascism during World War II. However, he said, its application veered 'completely off-track' in the later struggle against communism. Instead of being marshaled for global advantage, Blatt said, patriotism should center on the country's land and its people. 'There is a lot to love, but now the love of country is completely collapsed into an embrace of violence and militarism and aggression. That's how I see it,' Blatt said. Advertisement Kurt Graham, the inaugural president of the Adams Presidential Center in Quincy, said politics can separate one person's sense of patriotism from another's, dividing Americans even when it comes to celebrating what the United States represents. 'My personal perspective is that I do think we've lost sight of the larger sense of patriotism,' said Graham, former director of the Harry S. Truman Presidential Library and Museum and the George W. Bush Presidential Library. 'We've narrowed it in ways that we look at being loyal to an ideology or even a party, as opposed to the country as a whole.' 'We've diverted from a true definition of patriotism in that we believe one side is patriotic and one is not,' Graham added. 'We don't recognize our opponents as fellow patriots, and that's a problem.' What is the role of American patriots today? Amid rising political tensions, the efforts of Massachusetts and other states to honor the nation's beginnings through reenactments, parades, and music present an opportune moment for many Americans, beyond political lines, to examine what it means to support this nation. 'What's important today is realizing that patriotism is positive. It's uplifting. It moves neither right nor left,' Graham said. 'What's interesting about patriotism is that by definition, it's diverse and inclusive. Everybody can love their country. Anyone can be a patriot.' Kurt Graham, the inaugural president of the Adams Presidential Center, posed near the John Adams statue in Quincy. Jonathan Wiggs/Globe Staff Despite the ongoing rhetorical firestorm, 'I have never felt that someone who disagrees with me is not an American,' said LeBeau, an Army veteran of the First Gulf War. Advertisement 'Maybe I'm a little naive, maybe too idealistic, but I don't think the ideals that the Founders fought over are much different today,' LeBeau added. 'It's so important that we don't let this go.' For Among service members, she added, the word has a straightforward definition: 'It's supporting and defending the Constitution of the United States.' Although seeking common ground can seem uncommonly difficult today, Graham said, the work is critically important. 'Somehow, we have to get back to understanding that compromise is what makes the engine work,' he said. 'It's the motor oil in the engine that helps it not seize up.' Brian MacQuarrie can be reached at
CBS News
07-02-2025
- Politics
- CBS News
Maura Healey plans to run for re-election as Massachusetts governor: "Really proud of the record so far"
BOSTON - Gov. Maura Healey said in a radio interview on Friday that she's planning to run for a second term as governor of Massachusetts. "I intend to run for re-election," the Democrat told GBH's Boston Public Radio. "I'm really proud of the record so far." The governor said housing affordability, transportation, tax cuts, and investing in education have been the priorities of her time in office so far. "I feel like we've done all of those things, yet there's a heck of a lot more to do," Healey said. Healey was the first woman to be elected governor in Massachusetts in 2022 and joined Oregon's Tina Kotek as the first two openly lesbian governors in the United States. Healey previously served as the state's attorney general for two terms. "I love my job, i feel incredibly privileged to be in this position and I'd love to have the opportunity to continue to work for the great people of this state," she said. Massachusetts Republican Party response Responding to Healey's news, the Massachusetts Republican Party continued to hammer the governor's handling of the migrant crisis in Massachusetts. "Under her leadership, the Commonwealth has become the least transparent state in the nation, with billions wasted on a migrant crisis that has spiraled into a full-blown humanitarian disaster-marked by sexual assaults, drug trafficking, child abuse, and violent crime," MassGOP said in a statement. Healey said last months that background checks she had ordered at Massachusetts never happened. She's also proposing changes to the heavily scrutinized right-to-shelter law in Massachusetts. "We are actively engaging with several Republicans who would all make strong candidates, and we are confident we will have a formidable challenger ready to take on Healey and restore prosperity to the Commonwealth," MassGOP said.
