A retired NYPD detective is charged with murder in the fatal shooting on the George Washington Bridge Tuesday night, police said.
Victor Romero, 62, retired from the New York Police Department 25 years ago, police said. Police believe he shot Coran Irvine during an apparent road rage incident.
Irvine, 46, was fatally shot shortly after 7 p.m. Tuesday evening. Port Authority Police officers were responding to reports of a single-vehicle crash in the middle of the bridge and found Irvine suffering from a gunshot wound. He was rushed to a nearby hospital where he later died.
Investigators recovered a firearm and it is being tested to determine if it is related to the shooting. Romero’s vehicle is in custody, police sources said. New York police were at Romero’s home in Haverstraw, New York, waiting to execute a search warrant, according to police sources.
George Washington Bridge technology and license plate readers assisted in the investigation. Detectives are also reviewing surveillance footage as they work to establish what happened on the bridge before the gunfire erupted.
Romero joined the NYPD in 1994. He worked for seven years and retired as a disability narcotics detective after being shot by robbers at his family’s laundromat in Brooklyn.
In 2000, the Civilian Complaint Commission received a complaint about Romero’s shooting of a gun. Romero retired before the CCRB could complete its investigation.
Meanwhile, loved ones gathered at Irvine’s home in Valley Cottage in Rockland County.
“It’s insane. It’s insane,” said Anthony Hodges, a friend from Irvine. “He almost became like a brother to me. He’s so dynamic. He always had a smile on his face. There was never a time when I wasn’t having a conversation with him and he wasn’t smiling. He was such a lively person.”
“He was a very nice man. We’re new to the neighborhood. I remember when we first came in, he was helping us. They have chickens out back. He was bringing us eggs to welcome us,” said neighbor Hope Dorcelly. “I’m very shocked. In fact, we just heard about it this morning and we are completely devastated for the family.”
Irvine was married for 15 years to his wife Patricia and has a teenage daughter and a younger son. In a statement posted on GoFundMe, the Irvine family said “his family was his world…he loved them dearly…and always strived to give his family the best life possible.”
Irvine was a 20-year employee of Con Edison.
“We are heartbroken by the tragic loss of a member of the Con Edison family in this senseless act of violence. Our deepest condolences go out to his family, friends, colleagues and all who knew and loved him,” the utility said in a statement.
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