Those murder charges were filed early Wednesday morning against 27-year-old Tyrik Harris. The victim, 46-year-old Franklin Manuel Santana, was pronounced dead on the scene with multiple gunshot wounds to the neck and torso.
Santana leaves behind a wife and a six-week-old baby.
Witnesses tell police and Action News the incident began just after 4:00 p.m. Tuesday along the 6500 block of Torresdale Avenue in the Tacony section of the city.
They say Santana noticed that the Harris' dogs, a German shepherd and a Chihuahua, had defecated in his yard. They say Santana politely asked Harris to please clean it up but, according to witnesses, what happened next was totally unexpected.
"He was telling the guy, 'please do not let your dog poop on my lawn; please, at least clean it up,'" witness Francis Fogarty said.
Fogarty said Harris answered back by saying, 'You're getting cocky with me?' According to Fogarty, Harris then shot Santana in the face.
Fogarty said Santana then tackled her to the ground for safety. That's when, witnesses say, Harris fired several more shots at Santana.
Harris was taken into custody and placed in a police wagon.
Neighbors said Harris recently lost his job as a security officer for the Philadelphia School District and had a license to carry a gun. Police and the school district could not immediately confirm that.
Neighbors say this is not the first time Harris has pulled a weapon on someone.
"The way he took that man's life. It was just uncalled for," neighbor Fatima Johnson said.
"We believe that this is not an isolated incident. There have been arguments over these dogs in the past," Philadelphia Police Chief Inspector Scott Small said.
Neighbors say they've had problems here before with crime, but this shooting still managed to shock the community.
"The way he took that man's life. It was just uncalled for," neighbor Fatima Johnson said.
"It's just ridiculous, come on. People wonder why they want to move," neighbor Rick Davis said.
