Man Charged With Murder In Fatal Shooting In Stratford: Police

STRATFORD, CT — A man has been arrested in connection with a fatal shooting earlier this month in Stratford, according to police.

Police responded around 11:40 p.m. on April 4 to the 400 block of Woodstock Avenue on the report of a disturbance that was determined to be a homicide, according to Capt. Jerry Pinto.

Paul T. Balzarano, 43, was identified as the victim, and Pinto said he died as a result of suffering multiple gunshot wounds.

Pinto said the investigation culminated Tuesday with the arrest of 22-year-old Robert Kopasz.

Kopasz was charged with murder by firearm, illegal possession of an assault weapon without a certificate, illegal violation of fire rate enhancement (machine gun), illegal possession of a high-capacity magazine, and unlawful discharge of a firearm.

Kopasz was being held in lieu of a $1.5 million bond and was scheduled to appear in court on Tuesday, April 28.

“An American Tactical Omni Hybrid semi-automatic multi-caliber rifle and a Glock 22 40 caliber pistol, equipped with an illegal after-market switch, which allows this firearm to be fired fully automatic, were seized as evidence,” Pinto wrote in a news release.

Anyone with information related to the incident can contact Detective Marc Halper at 203-385-4126 or mhalper@townofstrtaford.com.