Former NYPD Detective Indicted on Murder Charge in GWB Road Rage Shooting

The Manhattan district attorney's office announced Tuesday that a grand jury has indicted Victor Romero, 62, a former NYPD detective, on a charge of second-degree murder in the shooting death of Koran Irvine, 46, in a road rage incident on the George Washington Bridge. Prosecutors said the indictment followed an extensive investigation after Romero appeared in court last week.

Romero had initially been charged with murder, but prosecutors had downgraded that charge to manslaughter before the grand jury reinstated the more serious count. He posted $1 million bail on Friday, and prosecutors said his bail status did not immediately change with the upgraded charge. His next court date is set for November 23.

According to Assistant DA Matt Sears, surveillance footage shows Romero's car following Irvine's after the two vehicles nearly collided near the bridge entrance last Tuesday around 7 p.m. Minutes later, Romero fired from the driver's seat, striking Irvine behind his right shoulder, then continued driving into New Jersey. Romero's defense attorney described him at last week's hearing as a "hero police officer" with a "sterling record" but did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the new indictment.

Irvine was an employee of Con Edison, which confirmed his death in a statement. The Irvine family's attorney, Nick Liakas, called the indictment "an important step toward accountability," adding that the family deserves a prosecution reflecting the gravity of the tragedy and the same justice afforded to every family regardless of the accused's former law enforcement role.