PPB Officers Arrest Armed Suspects after Perimeter Search in the Buckman Neighborhood

On Friday, August 21, 2026, Portland Police officers assigned to the Focused Intervention Team and the Enhanced Community Safety Team (ECST) were doing proactive patrols in an effort to connect with community members at highest risk of being involved, either as a shooter or a victim, in gun violence. The mission was part of an ongoing series of similar efforts throughout the summer, known as "Summer Cool Down," to interrupt the cycle of violence that leads to more deaths, injuries, and fear in the community. PPB has released information about this effort previously.

At 11:06 p.m., mission officers conducted a traffic stop a black Tesla Model S in the area of Southeast 29^th Avenue and Southeast Belmont Street. Officers determined that an occupant of the vehicle was a suspect in a previous armed robbery with a gun case. They arrested the occupant. During the arrest, they noticed multiple firearms visible in the vehicle within reach of the three remaining occupants. Officers gave clear instructions to the occupants to ensure everyone's safety.

The driver did not comply and unlawfully drove away. Anticipating this possibility, officers already had a plan in place to deflate the tires of the vehicle using devices designed for that purpose. The goal was to prevent dangerous driving during the suspect's efforts to elude that put the entire community at extreme risk. Despite the deflated tires, the driver continued driving extremely recklessly, including speeding, despite the fact that no officers were in pursuit. The Portland Police Air Support Unit (ASU) tracked the suspects until the driver crashed the Tesla in the area of Southeast 26^th Avenue and Southeast Ankeny Street. The three occupants jumped out and ran into the neighborhood. No injuries were reported from the crash, and the deflated tires likely prevented further dangerous driving behavior.

A large perimeter was set up around the neighborhood. The Incident Commander utilized the PublicAlerts system through the Bureau of Emergency Communications to notify area residents of the police activity, and request that they "shelter in place," meaning keep doors and windows closed and locked, and call 911 in the event that they see anyone hiding near their location.

One suspect was arrested right away in a nearby yard. ASU and officers with the Unmanned Aircraft Systems Program (drones) were used along with the K9 unit to do a track over several hours, finding and arresting a second suspect. The third suspect was not immediately located but the investigation is continuing.

Occupants of the vehicles threw firearms out of the window during the elude, which were later recovered by the police. Additional firearms and ammunition were located in the vehicle. All told, five unlawfully possessed guns were seized.

The perimeter was cleared and the shelter in place notice was canceled at about 1:40 a.m.

"While we cannot know for sure what could have happened, we have every reason to believe that this policework prevented one or more shootings," said Chief Bob Day. "My thanks to all the Portland Police members involved in this successful effort, especially FIT for their work to prevent gun violence. There were a tremendous number of officers needed to achieve this outcome, and I appreciate the community's understanding that other calls for service had to wait while we worked through this."

Aerion L. Purifoy, 20, of Portland, was booked into the Multnomah County Detention Center (MCDC) on charges of Robbery in the First Degree, Unlawful Possession of Firearms, and Possession of an Illegal Weapon (ORS 166.272).

Asantae A. Parris, 20, was booked into MCDC on charges of Unlawful Possession of Firearms, Attempt to Elude Police on Foot, Interfering with a Peace Officer, Felon in Possession of a Firearm, and Possession of an Illegal Weapon.

Marcus T. Wright II, 25, was booked into MCDC on charges of Unlawful Possession of Firearms, Attempt to Elude Police on Foot, Interfering with a Peace Officer, and Possession of an Illegal Weapon.

If anyone has information about this incident, please e-mail [email protected] attn: FIT and reference case number 26-245118.

Proactive policework with the community and gun seizures like this one are an essential part of PPB's ongoing efforts to curb gun violence. Taking unlawfully possessed firearms out of circulation helps protect the community and supports broader violence-reduction strategies.

FIT comprises PPB members who were selected to be a part of this specialty unit tasked with helping address gun violence in the City of Portland. In between emergency calls, FIT builds relationships with community members and proactively deters violence consistent with their mandate. FIT is overseen by a group of community volunteers known as the Focused Intervention Team Community Oversight Group, or FITCOG. The FITCOG commenced in June 2021, in response to the gun violence crisis in Portland, to work with the Focused Intervention Team (FIT) and assist with recommendations to reduce gun violence through prevention, intervention, and response. For more information, see their website. FIT also collaborates with the Enhanced Community Safety Team (ECST), a team of Sergeants, Detectives, and Officers who focus on investigating shootings.

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