A retired NYPD detective is charged with murder in the deadly shooting on the George Washington Bridge Tuesday night, police said.
Victor Romero, 62, retired from the NYPD 25 years ago, police said. Police believe he fatally shot Koran Irvine in an apparent road rage incident.
Irvine, 46, was fatally shot just after 7 p.m. Tuesday night. Port Authority Police officers were responding to reports of a single-vehicle crash in the middle of the bridge and found Irvine with a gunshot wound. He was rushed to a nearby hospital where he later died.
Investigators have recovered a gun and it is being tested to determine if it is connected to the shooting. Romero’s vehicle is in custody, police sources said. The NYPD was at Romero’s home in Haverstraw, New York waiting to execute a search warrant, according to police sources.
Technology at the George Washington Bridge and license plate readers helped in the investigation. Detectives are also reviewing surveillance footage as they work to establish what happened on the bridge before the gunfire erupted.
Romero joined the NYPD in 1994. He worked for seven years and retired as a narcotics detective on disability after being shot by robbers at his family’s coin laundry in Brooklyn.
In 2000, the Civilian Complaint Review Board received a complaint about Romero firing a weapon. Romero retired before the CCRB could complete its investigation.
Meanwhile, relatives have been gathering at Irvine’s home in Valley Cottage in Rockland County.
“It’s senseless. It’s senseless,” Irvine’s friend Anthony Hodges said. “He became almost like a brother to me. He’s just so vibrant. He always had a smile on his face. It was never a time I didn’t have a conversation with him and he didn’t smile. He was just such a lively person.”
“He was a very nice man. We’re new to the neighborhood. I remember when we first came, he would help us out. They have some chickens in the back. He brought us eggs to welcome us,” neighbor Hope Dorcelly said. “I’m very shocked. We just heard about it this morning actually and we’re just completely devastated for the family.”
Irvine was married for 15 years to his wife Patricia, and has a teen girl and younger boy. In a statement posted on GoFundMe, the Irvine family said his “family was his world … he loved deeply … and always strived to give his family the best life possible.”
Irvine was a 20-year employee of Con Edison.
“We are heartbroken by the tragic loss of a member of the Con Edison family in this senseless act of violence. Our deepest condolences go out to his family, friends, colleagues, and everyone who knew and loved him,” the utility said in a statement.
