Who is Victor Romero? Ex-NYPD detective accused of manslaughter in GW Bridge shooting
Retired NYPD detective's charge downgraded to manslaughter after GWB shooting
When retired NYPD Detective Victor Romero was arrested for the deadly GWB shooting, he was charged with murder. Now, his charge has been downgraded by the Manhattan DA to first degree manslaughter. FOX 5 NY's Linda Schmidt heard from the victim's family, and has the details.
NEW YORK - The retired NYPD detective charged with manslaughter in a fatal road rage shooting on the George Washington Bridge is the same officer who was shot while trying to stop a robbery at his family's business more than 25 years ago.
What we know about Victor Romero
Big picture view:
Victor Romero, 62, was arrested Wednesday after the NYPD said detectives located the vehicle involved in the GW Bridge shooting at an office where it was registered.
Retired NYPD officer charged with murder in GW Bridge shooting
Investigators believe road rage led to a deadly shooting that shut down the George Washington Bridge during rush hour. A father of two from New York was killed, while a retired NYPD detective is expected to appear in court following his arrest for murder. FOX 5 NY's Frances Wang reports.
Romero, who is from Haverstraw, New York, was initially charged with murder, which was downgraded to manslaughter by the District Attorney's office, according to police.
The NYPD tracked him down while investigating the shooting and subsequent crash that killed 46-year-old Koran Irvine and shut down the GW Bridge for hours Tuesday night.
Court records indicate Romero pleaded not guilty.
2000 Brooklyn shootout
Dig deeper:
Romero, according to FOX 5 NY law enforcement sources, was an NYPD narcotics detective who worked in Brooklyn until retiring in 2001.
The Associated Press reported he was wounded in a shootout during a robbery at his family's laundromat months before his retirement. FOX 5 NY archive footage shows coverage of the shootout at 9420 Kings Laundromat Inc. in June 2000.
Romero, who was off-duty, shot both suspects multiple times with his service weapon, the report said.
What we know about Koran Irvine
The other side:
Irvine was a husband and father of two from Valley Cottage, New York. He worked for Con Edison for more than 20 years.
Officers found Irvine shot in the driver's seat of his car just after 7 p.m. Tuesday on the New Jersey-bound upper level of the George Washington Bridge.
He was rushed to the hospital, but did not survive.
Retired NYPD member charged with murder in connection to GWB shooting, law enforcement sources say
Victor Romero, 62, has been charged with murder in connection with the shooting on the George Washington Bridge, according to NYPD.
The Source: This story was written with information and statements from the NYPD's Office of the Deputy Commissioner, Public Information (DCPI), and reporting by The Associated Press.