Burgos, who is about 29, was preparing to celebrate Valentine's Day with her husband, Perez said. They had met a few years earlier in Florida. "He called and said he had met this amazing woman and was very happy," Perez said.
About a month ago, they moved to the 6500 block of Torresdale Avenue. Rivera, who was from Yonkers, N.Y., had trouble finding work in Florida. They came to Philadelphia "to start a new life," Perez said.
They had a daughter, Roxanne, just 6 weeks old.
He had a job interview scheduled for Monday, Perez said.
On Tuesday, his wife "had baked a cake and planned a romantic dinner for him," Perez said. "She never got to cut the cake."
Rivera had complained to Harris about the dogs, a German shepherd and a Chihuahua, defecating on Rivera's small front lawn.
That Rivera was shot because of this was "senseless," Perez said.
Harris was arrested at the scene and charged with murder and firearms violations. He had a license to carry a concealed gun, but it had been revoked in January, police said.
He worked for the Philadelphia School District as a per-diem employee on the police force from 2004 until June 30, when he was let go in a mass layoff, a district spokesman said. Harris was not a sworn officer.
Outside Rivera's home on his porch Wednesday night stood five lit prayer candles.
Perez and other relatives were inside, helping to pack Burgos' belongings for a move to New York.
"She's leaving Philadelphia behind forever," Perez said.
Contact staff writer Robert Moran at 215-854-5983, bmoran@phillynews.com, or @RobertMoran215 on Twitter.
