Philadelphia Police Investigate Fatal Shooting Over Dog Waste In Tacony
By Todd Quinones and Jim Melwert
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – An apparent ongoing dispute between neighbors, one accusing the other of not picking up after his Chihuahua, ended with a man being shot and killed Tuesday afternoon in Northeast Philadelphia.
Authorities say the alleged shooter has been charged with murder.
The suspect has been identified by police as 27-year-old Tyrirk Harris. Harris is accused of killing Franklin Manuel Santana, 47, whom neighbors say leaves behind a two-moth-old baby.
According to police, Santana (right) was shot at least three times in the neck and head.
It was a confrontation that has been brewing for some time, according to neighbors. Neighbors say Santana grew increasingly frustrated by Harris not cleaning up after his dog.
Investigators tell Eyewitness News that Santana walked up to Harris' porch, the two got into a verbal altercation, which turned physical and the 27-year-old pulled out a 9mm handgun.
"There was a struggle over the weapon. The weapon discharged. We don't know if it was intentional or accidental because of the fight over the weapon," Chief Inspector Scott Small said.
"I heard them arguing when I was walking by and then I heard gunshots," one neighbor said.
Santana was pronounced dead about 4:30 p.m. on Harris' porch.
Neighbors say Harris always had a holstered gun at his side. Police say his license to carry had been revoked.
Philadelphia police commissioner Charles Ramsey called the incident a "senseless tragedy."
"Those kinds of things just have to stop … that just makes no sense at all. I understand that supposedly there was some struggle, but multiples shots fired here and multiples shots is not accidental," Ramsey said.
"Crazy to be shot over a dog," said one neighbor.
Harris remains behind bars.
