Two Teens Charged in 1 Fatal Shooting of Capitol Intern

Table of Contents

• The Tragic Incident: A Promising Life Cut Short
• Swift Investigation Leads to Arrest of Two Teens
• The Suspects and The Charges They Face
• A Community in Mourning: Reactions from Capitol Hill and Beyond
• Remembering Ethan Hayes: More Than an Intern
• What Comes Next in the Legal Process

The Tragic Incident: A Promising Life Cut Short

WASHINGTON, D.C. – A senseless act of violence has sent shockwaves through the nation’s capital after a beloved Capitol Hill intern was fatally shot during what investigators believe was a robbery gone wrong. The Metropolitan Police Department confirmed that two teens have been arrested and charged in connection with the homicide, which has cast a somber mood over the city and the political institutions that draw young, ambitious minds to its core.

The victim has been identified as Ethan Hayes, 21, a political science major from Ohio State University who was spending his final semester interning for a senior congresswoman. The incident occurred late Friday evening in the Navy Yard neighborhood, a popular area known for its restaurants and residential buildings, just a short distance from the Capitol complex.

According to preliminary reports, Hayes was walking home from a dinner with friends at approximately 10:30 PM when he was confronted. Police were called to the scene on M Street SE after residents reported hearing a gunshot. Upon arrival, they found Hayes with a single gunshot wound. He was immediately transported to a nearby hospital but was pronounced dead shortly after arrival.

Swift Investigation Leads to Arrest of Two Teens

In the hours and days following the tragic event, the MPD launched an intensive investigation. Homicide detectives worked tirelessly, canvassing the neighborhood for witnesses and combing through hours of surveillance footage from nearby businesses and residential buildings. “Our community came forward,” said Police Chief Robert J. Contee III in a press conference. “Tips and video evidence were instrumental in identifying the individuals responsible for this heinous act.”

The breakthrough came Saturday afternoon when detectives pieced together video that tracked the suspects’ movements before and after the shooting. The high-quality footage, combined with a crucial tip from a citizen who recognized the individuals from a public alert, led police to a residence in Southeast D.C. By Sunday morning, authorities had taken the two teens into custody without incident.

The swiftness of the arrests has been a small comfort to a grieving community, highlighting the department’s commitment to solving violent crimes. You can find more updates on similar cases in our local crime reports section. The investigation is still considered active as police work to ensure they have an ironclad case against the accused.

The Suspects and The Charges They Face

On Monday morning, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia formally announced charges against the two suspects. They have been identified as Marcus Thorne, 17, and Julian Calloway, 16. Despite their ages, the prosecution has announced its intention to charge both as adults due to the gravity of the crime.

Thorne and Calloway face a series of severe charges, including:

• First-Degree Murder while Armed
• Felony Murder
• Armed Robbery
• Possession of a Firearm During a Crime of Violence

“The evidence suggests that these two teens targeted Mr. Hayes in an attempted robbery,” stated U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves. “This was a brutal and senseless crime that stole a promising young life, and we will pursue justice for Ethan Hayes and his family to the fullest extent of the law.”

Both Thorne and Calloway are being held without bond pending their next court appearance. Public defenders have been assigned to their cases but have not yet released a statement to the press. The backgrounds of the two teens are being examined as part of the ongoing legal proceedings.

A Community in Mourning: Reactions from Capitol Hill and Beyond

The news of Ethan Hayes’s death has reverberated from the halls of Congress to his hometown in Ohio. The office where he worked released a deeply personal statement, describing him as “bright, passionate, and unfailingly kind.”

“Ethan was more than an intern; he was a cherished member of our team and a dear friend,” said Congresswoman Eleanor Vance (D-CA). “He had a brilliant future ahead of him, and his desire to serve the public was an inspiration to us all. We are utterly heartbroken for his family and loved ones.”

Flags at the Capitol were lowered to half-staff in his honor, a rare tribute for an intern that speaks to the impact he made in his short time there. A vigil was held Sunday night near the site of the shooting, with hundreds of fellow interns, local residents, and government staffers gathering to pay their respects.

Community leaders have also spoken out, calling for action against the violence that plagues even the safest parts of the city. For more information on city safety initiatives, you can visit the official D.C. government website. The tragedy serves as a stark reminder of the random nature of violent crime and its devastating consequences.

Remembering Ethan Hayes: More Than an Intern

Friends and family remember Ethan Hayes not just for his political ambitions but for his warm personality and infectious optimism. He was a dedicated student, an avid runner, and a loving son and brother. He had hoped to attend law school after graduation with the ultimate goal of working as a prosecutor.

“He wanted to make the world a better, fairer place,” his father, David Hayes, told reporters from their Ohio home. “He believed in the system, and he went to Washington to learn how to be a part of it. We can’t believe he’s gone.”

His university is providing counseling services to students affected by the loss and is planning a campus memorial later this week. A scholarship fund is being established in his name to support other students who wish to pursue public service internships in Washington, D.C., ensuring his legacy of service will continue.

What Comes Next in the Legal Process

With the two teens now in custody and formally charged, the case will begin its slow journey through the D.C. Superior Court system. The next step is a preliminary hearing, where a judge will determine if there is sufficient evidence to proceed to a grand jury.

Given that the suspects are being tried as adults, they could face life in prison if convicted of first-degree murder. The legal process is expected to be lengthy, involving discovery, pre-trial motions, and eventually, a jury trial. The prosecution has indicated it has a strong case built on forensic evidence, witness statements, and the aforementioned surveillance footage.

The city, and indeed the nation, will be watching closely as the case unfolds, hoping for justice for Ethan Hayes and a resolution that brings some measure of peace to his grieving family and a community shaken by this profound loss.