Ex-Detective Faces Murder Charge in New York Bridge Shooting as Hundreds of Con Edison Workers Stand by Slain Colleague
Victor Romero, 62, appeared in a New York City court on Tuesday. After a grand jury indictment in the fatal shooting of Con Edison worker Koran Irvine on the George Washington Bridge, he now faces a second-degree murder charge. His slain colleague's coworkers filled the courtroom during the hearing.
Romero is a former NYPD detective who had been working as a driver and security guard for a hedge fund. He appeared on Tuesday with his defence team and his own security and made no public comments to reporters outside the courthouse.
Koran Irvine was 46. He had worked for the utility company Con Edison for 20 years and leaves behind a wife and two children.
Dozens of Con Edison workers went to court on Tuesday morning to stand in solidarity with their slain coworker's family. “We're brothers here,” one employee said outside the courthouse. He described his friendship with Irvine, noting that their families spent time together and their children were friends.
Several hundred people also attended a rally the same day at Foley Square in lower Manhattan. Alongside Con Edison workers were Irvine's family and friends, including his wife Patricia Irvine and his sister Zeria.
Prosecutors allege that, after a near collision as the two men drove toward the George Washington Bridge, surveillance video shows Romero aggressively tailgating Irvine's car before pulling up next to it and firing at least one shot. The shooting took place last week, on October 20.
Authorities conducted a 24-hour manhunt to locate Romero after the shooting. Irvine was shot in the shoulder and later died.
Romero had previously posted $1 million bail and entered a not guilty plea to initial first-degree manslaughter charges. He is now scheduled for a Supreme Court arraignment on November 23. His attorney, Alan Abramson, could not immediately be reached for comment.
