PHILADELPHIA (November 25, 2024) — Members of the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office Elder Justice Unit (EJU) announced on Monday that Yousef Purdie (DOB 7/5/91) was convicted by a jury of VUFA 6105 for possessing a prohibited firearm that he used to threaten a 76-year-old man during a dispute over a parking space in March 2023.
On the evening of March 12, 2023, surveillance video captured the senior complainant pulling his vehicle into a parking space outside of the Laundromat America in the city’s East Parkside section. Purdie, with his girlfriend and two children with him, parked his car a few feet away and approached the victim’s vehicle before demanding that the victim vacate the space. The complainant refused to move. The defendant proceeded to brandish a firearm before returning to his vehicle. Philadelphia police arrived on the scene shortly after the victim called 9-1-1 and found the prohibited weapon in Purdie’s girlfriend’s purse.
Purdie was sentenced to four to eight years of state incarceration by the Hon. Natasha Taylor-Smith on August 29, 2024.
Following the announcement of Purdie’s conviction, DAO First Assistant Robert Listenbee also announced that the application process for a new round of violence prevention grants—specifically for community-based 501(c)(3) groups that provide support for elder victims and anti-violence programs that impact seniors—is now open. Interested Philadelphia-based organizations should contact the Philadelphia Foundation at [email protected] to apply.
“I commend Assistant District Attorney Alexander Blumenthal for successfully prosecuting this case,” said District Attorney Larry Krasner. “I want to assure Philadelphians that our office’s Elder Justice Unit is committed to securing justice for seniors, whether involving incidents of violence or financial abuse. If you’re a senior or know one who is the victim of a crime, contact our Elder Justice Unit today.”
The material below is provided by the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office for use by members of the news media.
CONTACT:
Dustin Slaughter, [email protected]
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