NEW YORK CITY (WABC) — A former NYPD detective who allegedly killed another driver in a road-rage shooting on the George Washington Bridge is now facing murder charges.
A grand jury in Lower Manhattan indicted Victor Romero on second-degree murder charges on Tuesday afternoon. The charges, upgraded from manslaughter, follow an extensive ongoing investigation.
It comes Romero was seen publicly for the first time 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 came 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.
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.
Outside the courthouse Tuesday, supporters of the Irvine family, including approximately 100 Con Edison workers, gathered as the case moved forward.
Some protesters shouted, “Murderer! Murderer!” as Romero entered and exited the courthouse.
Among those attending was shop steward Chris Demmerle, who said he had difficulty recognizing Romero in court.
“I saw him in the courtroom and barely even knew it was him. But, it’s a horrible feeling. You know, his family is out there, their faces are out there. I’ve seen the kids’ faces all over the place. They deserve privacy. Not this guy,” Demmerle said.
Friends and colleagues of Irvine said they were seeking answers and justice, including the victims’ sister, Zeria Irvine.
“Where’s Governor Kathy Hochul? Where’s Mamdani? Where are the condolences for my family? I’m pissed off,” said Zeria Irvine.
She also questioned why Romero was not in custody.
“Who does this guy think he is? I want to know. Who is so important that he can get dressed in his white button-up shirt, and his nice little chinos and then go to work the next day. Who’s more than my brother that he took his life,” Zeria Irvine said.
The victim’s family and colleagues expressed frustration over what they described as a disparity in treatment.
“This is people, this is all blue-collar people getting together and putting this together and putting pressure on the DA to do thing he should from the beginning,” said family attorney Keith White.
Despite the indictment, White said the family wants stricter conditions for Romero.
“We’re not content. We’re expecting, we’re hoping there will be a change in his bail condition and he will be remanded,” White said.
Patricia Irvine, the victim’s wife, said the surveillance video evidence leaves little doubt about what happened.
“I mean, it’s not even like fuzzy, it is super clear. It was murder, and that’s it, you know?” she said.
Speaking exclusively to Eyewitness News on Monday, Patricia Irvine also questioned how Romero was granted bail.
“How did he even get to post bail? Well, it was murder, right. And then it’s manslaughter. And they still gave him bail, even though they requested not to. You already see the preferential treatment,” she said.
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