Crime Fighters 6abc: Christian Crews was shot in Philadelphia years ago, possibly due to mistaken identity

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) — Years ago, a young father was shot dead in Philadelphia. His family believes it was a case of mistaken identity.

Now the victim's mother wants to set the record straight and finally get answers about the murderer.

Cathryn Thorpe says her son, 25-year-old Christian Crews, always thought of others first.

“He was always checking in on people. I mean, at his funeral, all these people, so many people, told me, 'Oh, he checked in on me about once a week.' And I didn't even know it. He just made his rounds and really made sure people were OK,” Thorpe said.

On March 30, 2019, Crews stood in front of his grandmother's house in the 1700 block of Harrison Street in Philadelphia's Frankford neighborhood.

Shortly after 4:30 p.m., police were called because of a shooting.

At the scene, Crews was found with a gunshot wound in a burgundy 2016 Nissan Maxima with Pennsylvania license plates.

His death was confirmed at the hospital, but there was initially confusion about Crews' identity.

“Even in the morgue, he was registered under his uncle's name,” his mother recalled. “His uncle's ID was in the car and he was in the car.”

Thorpe is convinced that Crews' uncle, who has also died, was the real target.

“He was in the wrong place, it was a case of mistaken identity. This was not meant for him,” Thorpe said.

The City of Philadelphia is offering a reward of up to $20,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person responsible.

All you have to do is call the Citizens Crime Commission at 215-546-TIPS. All calls remain anonymous.

“Whatever information you have, whatever you know, whoever you're associated with, whoever told you something, I don't care. Bring it forward. Bring it to the investigators. I want justice. I'm tired of waiting,” Thorpe said.