NEW YORK (VINnews) — A retired New York City police detective appeared in court Thursday to face a manslaughter charge in the fatal shooting of a Con Edison worker during an apparent road-rage confrontation on the George Washington Bridge, according to CBS New York.

Victor Romero, 62, was arraigned in connection with the death of Koran Irvine, 46, of Valley Cottage, New York. A judge set bail at $1 million, CBS New York reported. Romero initially faced a murder charge following his arrest Wednesday.

Prosecutors said the confrontation began with a near-collision as the two drivers approached the bridge. According to their account in court, surveillance video allegedly shows Romero closely tailgating Irvine before pulling alongside his vehicle and firing a shot.

Koran Irvine’s family spoke outside the courthouse on Thursday after Victor Romero’s arraignment. Despite being arrested on a charge of murder, Romero was charged with a lesser first-degree manslaughter charge at the arraignment. More: https://t.co/zHQJc3h2F6 https://t.co/LmBNmCpIrc

— Eyewitness News (@ABC7NY) October 22, 2026

The bullet struck Irvine as he drove across the bridge’s upper level toward New Jersey shortly after 7 p.m. Tuesday. Irvine’s Volkswagen Golf came to an abrupt stop, while Romero allegedly continued driving toward his home, prosecutors said.

Irvine was found unconscious with a gunshot wound and taken to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced dead, according to CBS New York.

Prosecutors described the killing as senseless and requested $1 million bail. They also told the court that investigators recovered three guns from Romero.

Romero’s defense attorney, Alan Abramson, expressed sympathy for Irvine’s family and described the incident as a tragedy. He also cited Romero’s previous police service, including his involvement in a 2000 shootout with would-be robbers at his family’s Brooklyn laundromat, according to CBS New York.

Romero did not speak during Thursday’s court appearance.

Irvine’s relatives expressed anger over the manslaughter charge and the bail decision. His aunt, Gale Ford, described him as a devoted husband and father, saying his death had left a devastating void in the family.

The family’s attorney, Keith White, argued that Romero should remain in custody.

The district attorney’s office was scheduled to present the case to a grand jury on Oct. 26, CBS New York reported.

Romero retired from the NYPD in 2001 after being wounded in the off-duty shootout at his family’s laundromat in Brooklyn. He had worked as a narcotics detective.

The shooting shut down portions of the heavily traveled bridge for hours, causing major traffic delays during the evening commute.