MANHATTAN — A retired New York police detective accused of fatally shooting a Con Edison worker during an alleged road rage incident on the George Washington Bridge has been indicted on a murder charge, a week after prosecutors appeared to pursue a lesser manslaughter count.
A grand jury returned an indictment on Oct. 27 charging Victor Romero, 62, with second-degree murder, according to the Manhattan District Attorney's Office. If convicted, Romero could face a sentence of 15 years to life in prison.
Prosecutors accused Romero of fatally shooting Koran Irvine, 46, after their vehicles nearly collided on the George Washington Bridge on Oct. 20.
Irvine, a married father of two, was on his way home from work at Con Edison. Court documents obtained
by the USA TODAY Network's Rockland/Westchester Journal News allege that Romero fired a gun and then fled the scene.
The upgraded charge marked a significant development in a case that has drawn outrage from Irvine's family, friends and coworkers, many of whom questioned why Romero was initially charged with first-degree manslaughter and allowed to post $1 million bail.
Keith White, attorney for the Irvine family, said on Oct. 27 that the family was "happy that the appropriate charge has now been charged, and now they are expecting and pushing for his bail to be revoked."
Romero posted bail on Oct. 23, two days after his arrest. He is now scheduled to be arraigned on the indictment on Nov. 23. His attorneys declined to comment following a court appearance on Oct. 27 and could not immediately be reached after the indictment was announced, according to the Rockland/Westchester Journal News.
Hundreds attend 'Rally for Justice' for Koran Irvine
Hundreds of Con Edison workers, union members and supporters gathered on the afternoon of Oct. 27 in Foley Square in Manhattan for a "Rally for Justice" for Irvine, known to colleagues as Flaco. The rally was organized by the Utility Workers Union of America Local 1-2.
Demonstrators chanted "Jail, not bail for Victor Romero," while calling for accountability in Irvine's death. Among those attending were Irvine's family members, including his wife, Patricia, and younger sister, Zeria.
"I am pissed off," Zeria Irvine said. "Because I want to know who does this guy think he is?"
Irvine's aunt, Gale Forde, remembered him as a devoted husband and father and said her heart was breaking. "He loved his children and the children loved their father," she said. "He loved his wife and his wife loved him."
Pablo Picayo said he and Irvine served as best men at each other's weddings. "Everyone who knew Koran would tell you he was living sunshine," Picayo said. "But on Oct. 20, Koran Irvine was killed, and all we want is justice."
What happened in fatal road rage shooting?
According to court documents, Irvine was driving home from work on the evening of Oct. 20 when his Volkswagen Golf nearly collided with a Range Rover driven by Romero on the approach to the George Washington Bridge. The men were both residents of Rockland County outside New York City.
Prosecutors alleged Romero, a Rockland County resident and retired NYPD detective, began aggressively tailgating Irvine after the near collision. He then pulled alongside Irvine's vehicle and fired a single shot into a window before speeding off and exiting onto the Palisades Interstate Parkway.
The bullet went through the rear passenger window of Irvine’s car and hit him in the shoulder, according to court documents. His car then lurched across all the New Jersey-bound lanes and stopped against the center median.
Irvine was taken to Englewood Hospital in New Jersey, where he was pronounced dead.
Murder charge followed further investigation
Romero surrendered to police on Oct. 21 and turned over a loaded revolver he said he always carried, according to court documents. Police arrested him on a murder charge, but prosecutors initially filed a first-degree manslaughter charge accusing Romero of causing Irvine's death while trying to seriously injure him.
The decision angered Irvine's family and coworkers, who argued Romero was receiving preferential treatment because of his law enforcement background.
A spokesperson for the district attorney's office said the grand jury presentation followed "an extensive ongoing investigation" conducted after the initial arraignment on Oct. 22. Romero briefly appeared in court on Oct. 27 before the grand jury vote, while dozens of Irvine's coworkers looked on.
The new indictment accuses Romero of intentionally causing Irvine's death. The second-degree murder charge carries a potentially harsher sentence than the original manslaughter count, which is punishable by up to 25 years in prison.
Contributing: Jeanine Santucci, USA TODAY
This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Ex-NYPD detective faces upgraded murder charge in bridge shooting
