A 46-year-old Con Edison worker was fatally shot on the George Washington Bridge on Tuesday evening in what police believe was a road-rage killing, authorities said Wednesday.
Koran Irvine of Valley Cottage, Rockland County, was driving a blue Volkswagen Golf in the westbound lanes of the bridge's upper level just after 7 p.m. when gunfire erupted, according to the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey Police Department. He was found with a gunshot wound to the head and was pronounced dead at Englewood Hospital and Medical Center in New Jersey.
Police said Irvine's vehicle nearly collided with another driver on a ramp leading to the westbound upper level, sparking a dispute. As both vehicles continued toward New Jersey, an occupant of the other vehicle opened fire, hitting Irvine. The suspect's vehicle fled the scene, and no arrests had been announced as of Wednesday morning.
How the shooting unfolded
According to ABC News, investigators are examining surveillance video of the incident to identify the shooter. The video shows the near-collision that preceded the gunfire. After being struck, Irvine's vehicle continued westbound before coming to rest against the median near the middle of the bridge, ABC7 New York reported.
Police closed the westbound lanes of the upper deck to investigate and collect evidence. The lanes remained closed for approximately six hours and reopened around 1 a.m. ET Wednesday, according to ABC News. The shooting snarled traffic for hours on one of the region's most critical transportation corridors during the evening rush.
Who was the victim
Irvine was an off-duty Con Edison employee at the time of the shooting. Con Edison released a statement Wednesday saying: "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."
The bridge and the search
The George Washington Bridge is a double-decked suspension bridge that opened to traffic in 1931 and spans the Hudson River between New Jersey and Manhattan. The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey operates the bridge and reports it carries approximately 100 million vehicles annually, making it the world's busiest, according to WRAL.
The bridge and its entrances are equipped with extensive camera surveillance, WRAL reported. Investigators are continuing to review footage as they search for the suspect. Police have not released a description of the suspect's vehicle, according to ABC News.
The bridge's entrances are known to be difficult to navigate, with drivers often veering across packed lanes, causing heavy traffic even under normal circumstances. The shooting during evening rush hour compounded congestion on one of the region's most critical transportation links between New York City and New Jersey.
As of Wednesday, the investigation remained ongoing with no suspect identified or arrested.