The family of a 46-year-old married father of two who was shot and killed earlier this week in a suspected road rage incident on the George Washington Bridge spoke publicly for the first time Thursday.
The family of Coran Irving and their attorneys spoke to the media outside a Manhattan courthouse where the alleged perpetrator, retired NYPD detective Victor Romero, appeared for trial.
“I talk to my brother every day,” Zeria Irving told the media Thursday. “He guides me every day. We lost our father!”
During the hearing, the judge set Romero’s bail at $1 million. During his arraignment, prosecutors charged him with voluntary manslaughter rather than murder as initially charged by police. The retired detective’s lawyers and family described him in court as a heroic police officer and family man. If he posts bail, the defendant may be released.
However, the victim’s family broke their silence and demanded justice. They spoke to the media after the court hearing. They said through tears that they had lost their father and that the defendants had left him at the scene to die.
You can watch the press conference here:
How did the incident occur? Who are the victims?
Owen, a Consolidated Ed Power Company employee and a resident of Valley Cottage in Rockland County, died Tuesday night with his wife and two children. According to police sources, an armed man fired a shot into the rear window of the victim’s car following a near-collision of vehicles on the bridge entrance ramp.
The bullet struck Owen in the shoulder, passed through his body, and exited through his neck. Irving was pronounced dead at a New Jersey hospital.
The Associated Press reported that Irving was not on duty at the time of the shooting. A spokesman issued a statement expressing condolences for this “senseless act of violence.”
Neighbors also described Owen as a helpful person.
Owen lives in Valley Cottage with his wife and two children. Neighbors shared what it’s like to live near the 46-year-old and his family.
“We moved into the neighborhood; I remember when we first arrived, he was helping us. They had chickens in the back,” said neighbor Hope Dosioli. “He brought us eggs to welcome us. He was a very nice man; we are shocked and devastated for the family.”
Who is Victor Romero, the retired NYPD detective charged with murder in this case?
The NYPD identified the suspect as 62-year-old Victor Romero and confirmed that he has been charged with murder in connection with Irving’s death. Romero is a former New York City Police Department detective who has been retired for 25 years.
Police reports say Romero’s home in Havestraw has been cordoned off pending a search warrant and the ongoing investigation. Several police vehicles were spotted at the location Thursday morning.
He is scheduled to appear in court for the first time on Thursday. Information about his legal representation was unclear.
Police sources said authorities have Romero’s gun and will conduct tests to determine if it is the same weapon used in Tuesday’s shooting. One of the sources said he and Owen had made similar trips to and from Rockland County.
What happened before the shooting?
According to multiple sources, the victim was captured on video nearly crashing his blue Volkswagen Golf into another car on the ramp leading to the George Washington Bridge (GWB).
Shortly after, the rear passenger side window of Irving’s vehicle was shattered by gunfire; law enforcement sources said it was a single gunshot.
Police sources told our sister station NBC New York that the bullet reportedly struck the driver’s seat headrest before striking the victim. The victim’s vehicle then hit a median and came to a complete stop.
The suspect was seen continuing on his way.