Prosecutors alleged DNA testing connected three co-defendants to the fatal shooting of a House of Representatives intern before DC Superior Court Judge Danya Dayson on April 10.
Naqwan Lucas, 19, his brother Jailen Lucas, 17, and Kelvin Thomas, 17, are charged with conspiracy, first-degree premeditated murder while armed in a drive-by or random shooting, four counts of assault with intent to kill while armed, three counts of aggravated assault knowingly while armed, assault with a dangerous weapon, and nine counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, for their alleged involvement in the fatal shooting 21-year-old Eric Tarpinian-Jachym on June 30, 2025 on the 1200 block of 7th Street, NW. The shooting also injured a woman and a 16-year-old juvenile male.
Jailen and Thomas are charged under Title 16, which allows prosecutors to try juveniles as adults for certain serious offenses.
At the hearing, the prosecutor said DNA testing was conducted after the co-defendants were arrested. She said two firearm cartridge casings reportedly implicated Jailen, a Bic Lighter reportedly implicated Jailen and Naqwan Lucas, and DNA evidence from the car reportedly implicated Kelvin Thomas. The prosecutor sent the results to the defense teams for each co-defendant.
At the next hearing, the defense is expected to decide if they will independently test the DNA evidence.
Parties are slated to reconvene on May 15.
