Durham Man Arrested in June Graduation Party Shooting That Injured Two Teens

DURHAM, N.C. — The Durham Police Department has arrested 20-year-old Ricario Purefoy in connection with a June 16, 2025, shooting that left two teens wounded during a high school graduation party on Fayetteville Street.

Incident Overview

Police said the shooting took place just before midnight on June 16 in the 3200 block of Fayetteville Street. A crowd had gathered in the front yard of a residence when gunfire erupted, sending partygoers fleeing for safety.

Responding officers found a 17-year-old boy with a gunshot wound to the leg. Minutes later, a 17-year-old girl arrived at a local hospital with a graze wound. Both teens were treated for non-life-threatening injuries.

Arrest and Charges

Following an investigation, Purefoy was arrested and charged with a series of felonies, including:

• Three counts of Assault with a Deadly Weapon
• Two counts of Assault with a Deadly Weapon with Intent to Kill or Inflict Serious Injury
• Discharging a Weapon into Occupied Property
• Felony Conspiracy
• Injury to Real Property
• Going Armed to the Terror of the People
• Possession with Intent to Sell/Distribute Marijuana
• Possession with Intent to Manufacture/Sell/Distribute a Schedule V Controlled Substance
• Maintaining a Vehicle/Dwelling/Place for a Controlled Substance
• Possession of Marijuana Paraphernalia

Court records show Purefoy was denied bond and remains in custody.

Ongoing Investigation

The case remains under active investigation, and police continue to seek additional witnesses and suspects connected to the shooting of two teens. Authorities are urging anyone with information to contact Investigator J. Sokal at 919-560-4440, extension 29238, or CrimeStoppers at (919) 683-1200. Anonymous tips can also be submitted at www.durhamcrimestoppers.org, with rewards of up to $2,000 available for felony case information.

About Durham CrimeStoppers

CrimeStoppers is a tip line that allows tipsters to report criminal activity anonymously. It is a partnership between the community, the media, law enforcement agencies, and businesses working together to solve crime. Callers are encouraged, via cash rewards and a promise of anonymity, to provide information leading to the arrest of suspected criminals. Information related to unsolved crimes and wanted persons is distributed to the community via various forms of media. Tipsters are encouraged to call CrimeStoppers and anonymously give any information about the unsolved crime or fugitive. CrimeStoppers forwards the information to the investigating law enforcement agency within Durham County. If the information is used by law enforcement and leads to a felony arrest, the tipster may be eligible to receive a cash reward. Reward payments range from a minimum of $100 to a maximum of $2,000, depending on the severity of the crime. Visit www.durhamcrimestoppers.org for more information.