Retired NYPD detective charged with murder in George Washington Bridge shooting
A retired New York City police detective has been charged with murder in a deadly shooting on the George Washington Bridge, police said. Koran Irvine, 46, was shot while driving Tuesday night. Police called it an apparent road rage incident after a near crash between two cars.
A retired New York Police Department detective has been arrested and charged with murder in the fatal shooting of a driver on the George Washington Bridge, police said Wednesday, Gothamist, NBC New York and WABC reported.
Police identified the man charged as Victor Romero, 62, of Haverstraw, New York. Gothamist reported that he retired in 2001 after seven years on the force. Attorney information for Romero was not immediately available, Gothamist and NBC New York reported.
The victim, Koran Irvine, 46, of Valley Cottage, New York, was shot Tuesday night while driving on the bridge's upper level, the NYPD said, according to Gothamist. Police said it appeared to be a road rage incident.
Surveillance video showed Irvine's Volkswagen swerving and nearly colliding with a black Range Rover near an entrance ramp, police said, according to WABC. Shortly after, a single shot was fired through his car's rear passenger window, WABC and NBC New York reported.
Irvine's car struck a median and stopped. Officers found him with a gunshot wound to his right shoulder, and he was pronounced dead at Englewood Hospital in New Jersey, Gothamist reported.
Detectives found the Range Rover parked outside Romero's home, WABC reported. On Wednesday morning, he voluntarily came in for questioning and was charged shortly after. Police have his gun and plan to test whether it matches the weapon used in the shooting, NBC New York reported, citing law enforcement sources. Police were also awaiting a warrant to search his home.
Irvine worked for Con Edison. "We are heartbroken by the tragic loss of a member of the Con Edison family in this senseless act of violence," the utility said.
The shooting shut lanes on the bridge for hours Tuesday night. All lanes reopened in time for Wednesday morning's commute, Gothamist reported.
The charge is an accusation, and Romero has not been convicted.
What we know: Police say a retired NYPD detective has been charged with murder in the bridge shooting.
What we don't: What led to the shooting beyond the near-collision, and how Romero will plead.
Where outlets agree Gothamist, NBC New York and WABC all report that police charged retired NYPD detective Victor Romero with murder in the shooting death of Koran Irvine.
Where they differ The cited reports agree on the key facts so far.