A late-night drive-by on a busy stretch of West Philadelphia has left one family shattered and still searching for answers. Relatives of 23-year-old Tayquan Thorpe are renewing their plea for information after he was fatally shot outside a convenience store on the 5900 block of Market Street. Thorpe was struck late on May 20, 2025 and later died from his wounds, relatives say. Family members maintain he was not the intended target and are urging anyone who saw anything to come forward.
Family Calls for Answers
Thorpe’s relatives describe him as a protective presence in their lives and say they are still reeling from the sudden loss, according to 6abc. “We all make mistakes, unfortunately some mistakes end with people’s lives being lost,” Aneesah Thorpe said. His aunt, Yvonne Brown, recalled speaking with Tayquan earlier the day of the shooting and later realizing he “was never coming home again.”
The family is appealing directly to neighbors, customers and anyone who was passing through the block that night, asking them to share anything they remember with detectives, no matter how minor it might seem.
Police: Drive-by and Suspect Vehicle
Investigators have described the attack as a drive-by that left multiple people hit by gunfire. Police say the shooters fired from a vehicle and then sped off in a dark-colored Nissan Altima, as reported by FOX29. Two additional victims were wounded in the barrage but later recovered, according to authorities.
Detectives are reviewing surveillance video from nearby businesses and canvassing the area in search of witnesses who might help them trace the car or identify the shooters.
Reward and How To Tip
The family and police say a $20,000 reward is on the table for information leading to an arrest and conviction, and tips can be reported to 215-546-TIPS, according to 6abc. Relatives and investigators alike are stressing that callers can remain anonymous.
Authorities are also asking anyone who may have seen the suspect vehicle that night, or who has dash-cam or security footage from the area, to contact investigators immediately.
Market Street's Recent Violence
The 5900 block of Market Street has seen other violence in recent months, including an ambush-style shooting in April 2026 that killed 20-year-old Imani Ringgold and triggered a multi-agency manhunt, as detailed by NBC10. Residents and business owners say the repeat gunfire has left the commercial strip on edge and has revived calls for stronger safety measures along the corridor.
Community leaders have argued that lasting change will take both visible policing and sustained cooperation from neighbors who are willing to share what they know.
Thorpe’s family is hoping renewed attention will finally break the silence. “Come forward, say something,” they said, adding that a single phone call could be the difference between their grief and another family’s.
