Former NYPD Detective Indicted on Murder Charge in George Washington Bridge Shooting of Rockland County Resident

Yisroel R.

Victor Romero, the Haverstraw man accused in the deadly George Washington Bridge shooting that left fellow Rockland County resident Koran Irvine dead, has now been indicted on a second-degree murder charge, marking a major development in the case one week after the shooting. 

Romero, 62, a retired NYPD detective, had initially been arrested on a murder charge following the October 20 shooting on the George Washington Bridge. The charge was later reduced to first-degree manslaughter when he was arraigned, and he was released after posting $1 million bail. On Tuesday, following what the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office described as an extensive continuing investigation, the case was presented to a grand jury, which voted to indict Romero on second-degree murder. 

Romero appeared in court Tuesday as dozens of Con Edison workers and supporters of Irvine gathered outside, loudly confronting and heckling him as he entered and left the courthouse. Irvine had worked for Con Edison for about 20 years, and his family, friends, coworkers and union members had pushed for the more serious murder charge after prosecutors initially moved forward with manslaughter. 

As previously reported by Rockland Daily, the case brought a heartbreaking local dimension to the shooting when both men were identified as Rockland County residents. Irvine, 46, lived in Valley Cottage and was driving home on the westbound upper level of the George Washington Bridge when authorities say his vehicle and Romero’s nearly collided. Prosecutors allege Romero then followed Irvine, pulled alongside his vehicle and fired into the car, fatally striking him. 

Irvine was found unconscious inside his vehicle and was rushed to Englewood Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. He left behind his wife and children and was remembered by relatives, neighbors and coworkers as a devoted family man and longtime Con Edison employee. 

Romero himself survived a shooting more than two decades ago. In 2000, while serving as an NYPD narcotics detective, he was shot in the hand and chest during an off-duty shootout with men attempting to rob his family’s Brooklyn laundromat. He returned fire and wounded two of the robbers before later retiring from the NYPD in 2001. 

Romero remains free on $1 million bail. Irvine’s family and supporters are seeking to have the bail revoked following the murder indictment. Romero is scheduled to be arraigned on the indictment on November 23.