Man arrested, charged with murder in connection with Stratford homicide
A man was arrested and charged with murder on Tuesday in connection with a homicide in Stratford on April 4, police said.
Robert Kopasz, 22, 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.
Police were called to an address on Woodstock Avenue just before midnight on April 4 after a disturbance was reported. They found the victim, 43-year-old Paul Balzarano, suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. Balzarano was later pronounced dead, according to police.
The incident was later determined to be a homicide, police said.
Police said they seized 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 it to be automatic, as evidence.
Kopasz will appear in court on April 28. He is being held on a $1.5 million bond.
Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact Detective Marc Halper at (203) 385-4126 or mhalper@townofstrtaford.com.
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