Two 17-year-olds are facing murder charges in connection with the fatal shooting of a University of Massachusetts Amherst student who was gunned down on June 30 in Washington, D.C., authorities said Friday.

At a news conference, Jeanine F. Pirro, US Attorney for the District of Columbia, announced the arrests of Jaylen Lucas and Kelvin Thomas Jr. in the slaying of Eric M. Tarpinian-Jachym , a 21-year-old from Granby who was working as a congressional intern.

“He was an innocent bystander,” Pirro said of Tarpinian-Jachym. “Innocent bystander who was caught in a violent act that was not meant for him.”

Tarpinian-Jachym was shot four times, Pirro said.

“The scene involved two rifles, one 9-millimeter [handgun], and 79 rounds on the ground,” she said.

“His death is a stark reminder of

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