Retired NYPD Detective Arrested in Fatal George Washington Bridge Road Rage Shooting
Neighbors in a quiet NYC suburb expressed shock and disbelief following the arrest of Victor Romero, a retired detective accused of shooting and killing a father of two on the George Washington Bridge.
A retired NYPD detective has been arrested and charged in connection with the fatal road rage shooting of a father of two on the George Washington Bridge. Victor Romero, 62, is accused of fatally shooting Koran Irvine, 46, on Tuesday night on the bridge's traffic-laden upper level.
Romero, who retired from the NYPD 25 years ago after being shot in the line of duty in 2000, lives in a townhouse community in Haverstraw, Rockland County. Neighbors there described him as a helpful and friendly individual, expressing shock at the news of his arrest.
"I was so surprised when I heard this. I thought it couldn’t be true. I said, ‘No, you’re confused, it’s not him,’" said Paola Ventura, 26, a neighbor. "I saw him on Monday and we talked about my dog. I had a problem with my car and he helped me. One day my dog ran out of the house and he helped me get him back. I’m in shock, really."
Ann Tartaglione, president of the community board, stated that Romero lived with his wife and college-aged daughter, and also had a son who did not reside with them. Tartaglione added that Romero "wanted to help the community" and had contributed financially to a recent tree removal project. "He cared about the community," she said. "I’m shocked. I really am shocked. I feel bad for the family, both families."
Another neighbor, Luis Polanco, described Romero as "never aggressive" and "so friendly." He recounted an instance where Romero assisted him with paperwork after a car accident. Juan Duran, a local resident, echoed these sentiments, calling Romero "a great person."
Irvine, an employee of Con-Edison, was reportedly on his way home from an overtime shift when the incident occurred around 7:15 p.m. According to police and Irvine's family, Romero allegedly fired a single shot that struck Irvine in the right shoulder. Irvine was transported to Englewood Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Sources told The Post that Romero admitted to being the shooter and surrendered the firearm to police. Romero had previously served in Brooklyn North Narcotics before his retirement in late July 2001. His retirement followed an off-duty gun battle approximately a year earlier at his family's business, King's Laundromat, in East Flatbush, Brooklyn.