Bridgeport Man To Face Homicide Charges In Stamford Stabbing: PD

STAMFORD, CT — Following a "lengthy, intense and complex investigation," as described by police, a 31-year-old Bridgeport man is expected to face homicide charges in connection with the fatal August 2021 stabbing death of a 43-year-old man in Stamford.

Donald Copeland, whose last known address is in Bridgeport, was arrested Friday in Poughkeepsie, New York, and charged with being a fugitive from justice on the strength of a homicide warrant from the Stamford Police Department, according to Capt. Richard Conklin of the SPD.

Copeland is scheduled to appear Feb. 25 in Dutchess County court.

"We're attempting to extradite him back to the state of Connecticut," Conklin said. "As soon as we get him, we'll lodge our homicide warrant."

On Aug. 18, 2021, around 1 a.m., police responded to a report of a serious car accident on Hamilton Avenue on Stamford's East Side, Conklin said.

Officers located the driver — later identified as Jimmy Louis — who had multiple stab wounds to his upper body. Police tried to resuscitate Louis, and he was transported to Stamford Hospital, where he was pronounced dead, Conklin said.

Police said Louis did not have a listed address at the time, but had family in Stamford.
Investigators backtracked Louis' whereabouts and found what they believed was a stabbing scene on the 150 block of Culloden Road, Conklin said.

Using a variety of investigative methods — including forensics such as blood evidence, DNA and fingerprints — police identified Copeland as a suspect and developed an arrest warrant several weeks after the stabbing, according to Conklin, but Copeland fled the area.

Conklin said Copeland was tracked with the help of U.S. Marshals to Poughkeepsie a few weeks ago, ahead of his arrest Feb. 19.

"I want to give kudos to our law enforcement partners, the U.S. Marshals, who work with us and do what they do very well," Conklin said. "Just tremendous work by a whole host of people working in concert with each other."

Conklin said investigators have an idea on what led to an altercation between Copeland and Louis, but they hope to gather more information in the coming weeks.

"We're hoping to interview Copeland once we get him in our custody, and that will shed some light," Conklin said.

According to his obituary, Louis was described as "a humble, caring, compassionate and very loving person" who liked to draw and have in-depth conversations with family and friends.

"Jimmy was a lost soul who was slowly finding his way back to his family," his obituary said. "A vibrant life full of potential and possibilities was taken from us too soon. He was deeply loved and will truly be missed."

Read Louis' obituary here.