A retired New York City police detective from Haverstraw was arrested Oct. 21 and charged with second-degree murder in the fatal shooting of a Con Edison employee on the George Washington Bridge, authorities said.
Victor Romero, 62, surrendered to New York City police in connection with the Oct. 20 shooting death of Koran Irvine, 46, of Valley Cottage. Irvine, a married father of two, was off duty from his job at Con Edison when he was shot while driving westbound toward New Jersey.
Authorities have not publicly confirmed a motive, but the shooting is being investigated as a possible road-rage incident.
What we know about the George Washington Bridge shooting
The alleged killer and victim were each heading home Tuesday evening to Rockland County. According to published reports, around 7 p.m., Irvine's
Volkswagen Golf may have cut off Romero's car on the ramp from the Henry Hudson Parkway to the upper level of the bridge.
Moments later, in the westbound lanes of the bridge, a gunshot through the window of Irvine's car struck him in the shoulder and neck and his car coasted into the median around midspan.
Irvine was taken to Englewood Hospital and Medical Center in New Jersey, where he was pronounced dead.
Investigators have not publicly confirmed the circumstances leading up to the shooting or established a motive. The case remains under investigation.
Who is Victor Romero?
Romero, 62, is a retired NYPD detective who lives in Haverstraw, Rockland County. He retired from the department in 2001.
The New York Post reported that Romero was shot in 2000 during a robbery at his family's dry-cleaning business in Brooklyn.
Romero was charged with second-degree murder after surrendering to police on Oct. 21.
Romero's Haverstraw home and Irvine's Valley Cottage home are about 7.5 miles apart.
What we know about Koran Irvine
Irvine, 46, lived in Valley Cottage and worked for Con Edison. The company confirmed he was off duty when he was killed.
"We are heartbroken by the tragic loss of a member of the Con Edison family in this senseless act of violence," a company spokesperson said. "Our deepest condolences go out to his family, friends, colleagues, and everyone who knew and loved him."
A GoFundMe campaign for Irvine's wife, daughter and son had raised nearly $110,000 by 9 p.m. Oct. 21.
The fundraiser described Irvine as a devoted family man whose humor, smile, laughter and enthusiasm for life would be deeply missed.
"Koran was a man full of life, love, and dedication to the people who meant the most to him," the page said. "He loved deeply, valued his relationships, and always strived to give his family the best life possible."
What officials are saying
Rockland County Executive Ed Day expressed condolences and condemned the violence.
"If the reports are accurate, it is unthinkable that such a senseless act could stem from something as trivial as roadway frustration," Day said. "No destination, delay, or inconvenience is ever worth more than a human life."
This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Ex-NYPD detective charged in George Washington Bridge shooting: What we know now
