Ex-NYPD Detective Gets $1 Million Bail in Fatal George Washington Bridge Road Rage Shooting

A former NYPD detective accused of fatally shooting a man on the George Washington Bridge during a road rage incident has been granted $1 million bail. Victor Romero, 62, faces a first-degree manslaughter charge in connection with the death of Koran Irvine, 46, a Con Edison worker.

Prosecutors allege Romero was driving an SUV owned by his employer, QVT Financial, a biotech and energy investment firm, when the shooting occurred Tuesday evening. He had been employed as a driver for the company's CEO, Dan Gold.

QVT Financial has stated they are aware of the reports and cooperating with authorities. Romero appeared in court Thursday, where a judge set his bail.

According to Assistant District Attorney Matthew Sears, the altercation began when Romero and Irvine nearly collided while approaching the bridge, an event captured on surveillance video. Video evidence shows Romero tailgating Irvine's vehicle aggressively.

Prosecutors claim Romero then maneuvered his vehicle to the right of Irvine's moving car and fired a single shot from his driver's seat. The bullet struck Irvine in the right shoulder, passing through his vehicle's rear passenger window and proving fatal.

Surveillance footage also shows Irvine's vehicle abruptly swerving into the far-right lane and stopping in traffic. Vehicle registration records confirmed that the SUV driven by Romero belonged to his employer and was assigned to him.

Authorities stated Romero's vehicle was the only one in a position to have fired the fatal shot. Immediately following the incident, Romero allegedly sped past Irvine's vehicle, crossed the bridge, and fled north on the Palisades Interstate Parkway towards his home in Rockland County. He did not call 911 or surrender to the police, according to authorities.

Detectives located Romero and the employer-issued vehicle the following day at his Manhattan workplace. A revolver, which Romero admitted to carrying daily, was recovered from him. A subsequent search of his residence uncovered two additional handguns.

All three firearms are currently undergoing forensic examination. Romero is scheduled to return to court on October 27.