Con Edison worker shot dead on bridge faces murder charge as family demands justice

Victor Romero was indicted on murder charges Tuesday after a Manhattan grand jury voted to bring the case against the man accused of killing Con Edison worker Koran Irvine on the George Washington Bridge.

Police said Romero and Irvine nearly collided when Irvine changed lanes at approximately 6:47 p.m. on Oct. 20. Prosecutors allege that Romero followed Irvine to a nearby location, pulled his vehicle alongside, and opened fire. A single bullet shattered the windshield of Irvine's Volkswagen and lodged in his right shoulder. The bullet did not create an exit wound.

Irvine's sister, Zeria Irvine, described the loss of the vehicle and her brother in a statement to reporters. "He loved that Volkswagen," she said. "Yes, I'm very angry. I see my family crying. I see them weeping, and I can't formulate the tears anymore, 'cause I have no tears to give."

Friends of the deceased recalled a close bond formed during their childhood. Brian Anthony Bradley, who grew up with Irvine, spoke about their shared history. "I can still remember us walking down the school hallways and breakdancing during fourth period lunch," Bradley said. "We grew up together. We became men together. We watched each other build families, from family trips and dinners to random phone calls just to catch up."

Hundreds of utility workers and residents gathered in Foley Square Tuesday afternoon to support the family. The crowd included Con Edison colleagues who said the current project was stalled by Irvine's death. Chris Demmerle, a coworker who learned his trade under Irvine, said, "It took a big hit. A lot of people took off, obviously, to mourn for him. No one can do what he does. When I came into the group, he actually taught me, took me under his wing, and everything that I know, I learned from that man. I asked to be transferred to that project, so I'm working it now with all the coworkers that were there."

The family and union expressed frustration that Romero remains free on a $1 million bail bond. Gale Ford, Irvine's aunt, questioned the disparity in treatment. "Victor Romero was given privileges. He was allowed to post bail of a million dollars. Would that same privilege be given to one of our children?" Ford asked. "Would they be walking on the street and going home to their families?"

The next step in the legal process is a court appearance scheduled for early November, where Romero will enter a plea and the prosecution will file a formal information.