NEW YORK CITY (WABC) — For the first time since his arrest, former NYPD detective Victor Romero was seen publicly Tuesday as he walked into a Lower Manhattan courtroom in the case stemming from the fatal shooting of Koran Irvine on the George Washington Bridge. Romero later left the courthouse following a brief appearance.
The court appearance comes as prosecutors continue pursuing the case against Romero, who was initially charged with murder but was arraigned last week on a reduced charge of first-degree manslaughter. Romero posted $1 million bail and has remained free pending the case.
Romero did not respond to repeated questions from reporters as he entered the courthouse and courtroom. Inside, he sat on the left side of the courtroom awaiting the proceedings before leaving a short time later.
In court Tuesday morning, prosecutors said a grand jury was expected to vote on an indictment Tuesday afternoon.
Prosecutors allege the confrontation that led to Irvine’s death began at about 6:45 p.m. Tuesday when Romero and the 46-year-old were changing lanes at the same time while entering the upper level of the George Washington Bridge, nearly colliding. Prosecutors say surveillance video shows Romero aggressively tailgating Irvine in a black company Range Rover before pulling alongside Irvine’s Volkswagen Golf, firing through the rear passenger window and then driving onto the Palisades Interstate Parkway toward his home in Haverstraw.
Irvine, a veteran Con Edison electrician and mechanic, was on his way home from work when the shooting occurred. He later died from his injuries.
Victor Romero, ex-NYPD detective accused in GWB road-rage fatal shooting, appears in court
