Former Detective Indicted for Murder in Bridge Road Rage Shooting
Grand jury upgrades charge from manslaughter in the death of Con Edison worker Koran Irvine.
By Nikhil Petrov ·
A Lower Manhattan grand jury indicted former New York Police Department detective Victor Romero on second-degree murder charges on Tuesday afternoon. The legal upgrade from first-degree manslaughter concludes a period of shifting charges in the case involving the fatal shooting of Koran Irvine on the George Washington Bridge.
Romero appeared in court for the first time since his arrest, walking into the Lower Manhattan courthouse without commenting on the proceedings. He sat on the left side of the room and left shortly after the hearing concluded. Romero has remained out of custody on $1 million bail, a condition he obtained last week after being arraigned on the reduced manslaughter charge.
Prosecutors allege the incident began around 6:45 p.m. on Tuesday when Romero and Irvine, a 46-year-old Con Edison electrician and mechanic, attempted to change lanes simultaneously while entering the bridge’s upper level. The two vehicles nearly collided. According to the prosecution, surveillance footage shows Romero driving a black Range Rover and tailgating Irvine’s Volkswagen Golf. Romero then pulled alongside Irvine, fired through the rear passenger window, and drove toward his home in Haverstraw, New York, via the Palisades Interstate Parkway.
Irvine died from his injuries after being shot on his way home from work. The case has drawn public attention due to Romero's former status as an NYPD detective. Approximately 100 Con Edison workers gathered outside the courthouse to support the Irvine family. Some protesters shouted
Murderer! Murderer!
as Romero entered and exited the building.
Chris Demmerle, a shop steward for the workers, noted that he barely recognized Romero in the courtroom. Demmerle stated that the children of both families deserve privacy, contrasting their situations. Other colleagues of Irvine described him as a great man and coworker, expressing hope that the court process would deliver justice.
Patricia Irvine, the victim's wife, pointed to the clarity of the surveillance video as evidence of the crime. She described the footage as
super clear
Source: ABC7 Los Angeles
