The family of a 46-year-old married father of two who was shot and killed in a suspected road rage incident on the George Washington Bridge earlier this week will speak publicly for the first time Thursday.
Koran Irvine’s family and attorneys are expected to address the media outside a Manhattan courthouse at about 1 p.m. Victor Romero, a retired NYPD detective accused of murder, is due to appear in court at about 1 p.m.
Irving, a Con Edison worker who lived with his wife and two children in Valley Lodge in Rockland County, was killed when a gunman fired a shot through his rear passenger-side window after a near-collision on the bridge entrance ramp, law enforcement sources said Tuesday night.
The bullet struck his shoulder, passed through his body and exited his neck. Irving was pronounced dead at the hospital.
He was not working at Con Edison at the time of the shooting, the utility said. A spokesman issued a statement expressing condolences for this “senseless act of violence.”
Neighbors also described Owen as a helper.
Owen lives in Valley Cottage with his wife and two children. Neighbors told of their experiences living near the 46-year-old and his family.
“We moved into the neighborhood; I remember when we first came here, he would help us. They had chickens in the back,” said neighbor Hope Dosioli. “He brought us eggs to welcome us in. He was a really nice guy; we are devastated and we are devastated for the family.”
Former NYPD detective Victor Romero, 62, faces charges in the murder of Valley Cottage father-of-two Koran Irvine. Melissa Colorado reports for NBC4.
Who is Victor Romero, the former NYPD detective accused of murder?
The New York Police Department identified the suspect as 62-year-old Victor Romero, confirming that he was charged with murder in Irving’s murder. Romero is a former NYPD detective who has been retired for 25 years.
Police said Romero’s Haverstraw home had been “frozen,” in other words, off-limits during the search warrant and investigation.
He is expected to make his first court appearance later Thursday. Information about his attorney was not immediately available.
Law enforcement sources said police have Romero’s gun and will test it to see if it is the same weapon used in Tuesday’s shooting. One source said he and Owen had similar commute times to and from Rockland County.
events leading up to shooting
Sources said the video captured the victim nearly hitting another driver in a blue Volkswagen Golf on the GWB entrance ramp.
Shortly after, Irving’s rear passenger window was shot in what law enforcement sources believe was a separate shooting.
Law enforcement sources tell News 4 the bullet appeared to hit the driver’s seat headrest and then entered the driver’s body. The victim’s car then hit the median, bringing it to a complete stop.
The suspect was seen continuing to drive.
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