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Authorities have arrested a retired New York police detective in connection with a shooting that killed a driver on the George Washington Bridge on Tuesday night, the NYPD announced.
Victor Romero, 62, was tracked down by police and charged with murder, the NYPD said. He had been retired from the department for 25 years, it said.
The arrest comes hours after Romero was questioned in connection with the case, which has been described as a road-rage incident. Koran Irvine, 46, a Con Edison employee and father of two, was killed.
NBC New York obtained a photograph of a black Range Rover that police say may have been involved in the shooting. The vehicle is in police custody, the department said.
The incident happened around 7:18 p.m. Tuesday on the upper level of the George Washington Bridge, heading into New Jersey. Authorities found the victim in the driver’s seat of a car with a gunshot wound to the rear of his right shoulder, police said.
A single bullet pierced the rear passenger-side window of Irvine’s vehicle, struck him in the shoulder and exited through his neck, according to police sources.
A security camera captured the moment the victim, driving a blue Volkswagen Golf, nearly collided with another car on the George Washington Bridge access ramp before the shooting.
Shortly afterward, the rear window of Irvine’s vehicle was shattered by a bullet. Authorities believe it was from a single shot fired from the other car.
The bullet reportedly passed through the driver’s seat headrest and struck the victim, who died. The vehicle crashed into the median and came to a stop. The suspect fled.
The victim was taken to Englewood Hospital in New Jersey, where his death was confirmed, police said.
As of Wednesday afternoon, police had recovered the bullet fragment inside Irvine’s car. It was being analyzed.
All lanes of the bridge reopened around 1 a.m.
Irvine lived in Valley Cottage, New York, with his wife and two children.
“He was a very nice man,” neighbor Hope Dorceoly said. “We moved into the neighborhood; I remember when we first came, he would help us out. They had chickens in the back. He brought us chicken eggs to welcome us in. He was just a really nice guy. We’re in shock, and we are devastated for the family.”
Con Edison acknowledged Irvine’s death in a statement Wednesday.
“We are heartbroken by the tragic loss of a member of the Con Edison family in this senseless act of violence. Our deepest condolences go out to his family, friends, colleagues, and everyone who knew and loved him,” it said.
Jonathan Dienst is chief justice contributor for NBC News and chief investigative reporter for WNBC-TV in New York.
Ida Siegal is a breaking news and general assignment reporter for NBC 4 New York.
Melissa Colorado is a reporter for NBC New York.
Anthony Payero is a digital journalist with NBC New York.
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