Detective faces manslaughter in bridge killing
A retired NYPD officer returns to court after a $1 million bail was set in the fatal shooting of a ConEd worker.
By Amina Howard ·
Koran Romero stands accused of killing a colleague in a violent exchange on the George Washington Bridge.
Court records show Romero, a 46-year-old former detective, posted $1 million bail after a judge reduced his charge from murder to first-degree manslaughter last Thursday. He is scheduled to appear in court again on Tuesday, October 27.
Police reports describe the incident on October 20 as a road rage dispute. Romero allegedly tailgated Irvine after a near collision, pulled alongside the victim’s car, and fired a single shot that killed the 46-year-old father. Irvine was driving home from his job at Con Edison when he died.
Frank Morales, president of the ConEd union, sent a letter to Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg on Friday. Morales urged the DA’s office to seek a second-degree murder indictment instead of manslaughter. He also requested that Romero remain in custody until trial.
Morales argued in his letter that Romero should face the same legal standards as any other homicide suspect, regardless of his prior service in law enforcement. Union members and Irvine’s family plan to hold a rally at 4:30 p.m. in Lower Manhattan to voice their demands.
No details have been released regarding the specific agenda for Tuesday’s court session. The hearing may determine whether a grand jury has returned an indictment against Romero.
