PHILADELPHIA — A Philadelphia man has been convicted of illegally possessing a firearm and using it to threaten a 76-year-old man during a dispute over a parking space in March 2023, officials announced Monday.
Yousef Purdie, 33, was found guilty of violating Pennsylvania’s Uniform Firearms Act (VUFA 6105) after a jury trial. Prosecutors said Purdie confronted the victim on March 12, 2023, outside Laundromat America in East Parkside, demanding he vacate a parking space. When the victim refused, Purdie retrieved a firearm and threatened him before returning to his vehicle.
Philadelphia police, responding to the victim’s 911 call, discovered the weapon in Purdie’s girlfriend’s purse upon arriving at the scene. Purdie, who was prohibited from possessing firearms due to a prior conviction, was sentenced on August 29, 2024, to four to eight years in state prison by Judge Natasha Taylor-Smith.
“This conviction sends a clear message that threatening our most vulnerable citizens will not be tolerated,” said District Attorney Larry Krasner, who commended the Elder Justice Unit and Assistant District Attorney Alexander Blumenthal for their work on the case.
Following the conviction, officials also announced the opening of applications for violence prevention grants aimed at supporting elder victims. Local nonprofits serving seniors are encouraged to apply through the Philadelphia Foundation.
Philadelphia’s Elder Justice Unit reaffirmed its commitment to protecting senior residents from violence and abuse in all forms.
