Paul T Balzarano

Paul T. Balzarano, a 43-year-old White man, was fatally shot on April 4, 2026, inside a residence on Woodstock Avenue in Stratford, Connecticut. What began as a late-night disturbance ended in a homicide investigation that would uncover surveillance recordings, forensic evidence, and a troubling connection between the victim and the man ultimately accused of killing him. Balzarano suffered multiple gunshot wounds, and authorities later determined that his death was the result of a deliberate act of violence.

At approximately 11:40 p.m., Stratford police responded to 437 Woodstock Avenue following a report of a disturbance. According to investigative records, an initial emergency call around 11:48 p.m. described a possible cardiac arrest. When emergency personnel arrived, they discovered Balzarano lying on his back in a second-floor bedroom with blood pooling around his body. A woman connected to the household was reportedly distraught in the living room. Investigators subsequently determined that Balzarano had sustained nine gunshot wounds to his leg, torso, and neck. His death was classified as a homicide.

As detectives began reconstructing the events of that evening, surveillance recordings from nearby residences became an important part of the investigation. A neighboring security camera captured the sounds of approximately 13 gunshots, followed by an individual leaving the residence and running toward a vehicle parked outside. The person appeared to enter the driver's side before the vehicle departed. Investigators released information about the recording while attempting to identify those involved and establish what had happened inside the home.

The investigation eventually focused on Robert Kopasz, who was 22 years old at the time of his arrest. Kopasz was the son of a woman who had been romantically involved with Balzarano, and reports indicated that the couple had been living together. Kopasz also had ties to the residence. Investigators discovered that police had previously responded to the property for wellness checks and at least two domestic disturbances. However, authorities did not publicly establish whether those earlier incidents were directly connected to the fatal shooting.

Detectives obtained several search warrants and began examining electronic records, firearms, and other physical evidence. According to the arrest warrant affidavit, information recovered from a vehicle associated with Kopasz showed that it departed his Stratford Avenue apartment at approximately 11:15 p.m. on the night of the shooting and arrived at the Woodstock Avenue residence roughly 10 minutes later. The vehicle remained in the area for several minutes before leaving. Additional surveillance recordings reportedly showed Kopasz driving, with a woman seated in the passenger seat. Investigators alleged that the passenger remained inside the vehicle while Kopasz entered the residence. After the gunshots, the recordings appeared to show him returning to the vehicle and driving away.

Investigators traced the vehicle's subsequent movements to River Road in Stratford before it traveled to Winsted, Connecticut. After receiving an anonymous tip through a Bridgeport police detective, authorities searched a wooded area near River Road and recovered an American Tactical Omni Hybrid rifle capable of firing. 223-caliber ammunition. The weapon was reportedly discovered approximately five feet into the woods and was equipped with a 60-round magazine containing 45 cartridges.

Forensic examination provided a significant development in the case. Investigators recovered 13 spent. 223-caliber shell casings from the homicide scene, and ballistic testing determined that they had been fired from the recovered rifle. DNA found on the weapon's trigger was also reported to match Kopasz. These findings became central components of the evidence supporting his eventual arrest.

Additional searches uncovered several firearms and ammunition at Kopasz's Stratford Avenue residence. Among the weapons seized was a Glock 22. 40-caliber pistol fitted with an illegal aftermarket conversion device commonly called a switch, which enabled the weapon to fire automatically. Police also recovered high-capacity magazines, including a 100-round drum magazine, and ammunition matching the brand of cartridges recovered from the homicide scene. Although Kopasz legally possessed several registered firearms, investigators alleged that other weapons and modifications in his possession violated Connecticut firearms laws.

Witness statements also contributed to the investigation. According to court documents, a woman romantically involved with Balzarano reportedly told an officer that Kopasz had killed her lover. In a separate conversation described in the arrest affidavit, she allegedly stated that Kopasz had entered the home and shot Balzarano. She reportedly acknowledged that the two men had not always gotten along but indicated their relationship had been better recently. Despite these statements, investigators did not establish a definitive motive. Some neighbors speculated that a disagreement involving money may have contributed to the violence, but police did not confirm that explanation.

On April 28, 2026, nearly four weeks after the killing, Robert Kopasz surrendered at Stratford Police Department headquarters with his attorney present and was formally arrested. Authorities charged him with murder by firearm, illegal possession of an assault weapon without a certificate, illegal violation of fire rate enhancement involving a machine gun, illegal possession of a high-capacity magazine, and unlawful discharge of a firearm.

Kopasz appeared in Connecticut Superior Court in Bridgeport later that day. Prosecutors requested that his $1.5 million bond remain in place because of the seriousness of the allegations. His defense attorney, Mark Phillips, requested a reduction, arguing that Kopasz had cooperated with investigators, voluntarily provided a DNA sample, surrendered his cellphone, and made himself available to authorities. Phillips also indicated that his client intended to plead not guilty and would challenge the prosecution's allegations. The judge declined to reduce the bond, maintaining the $1.5 million amount with a 30 percent cash requirement. The matter was transferred for further proceedings at the Bridgeport Judicial District Courthouse, with a subsequent appearance scheduled for May 19, 2026.

Although an arrest was made and substantial evidence was described in the probable cause affidavit, the criminal charges remained allegations pending adjudication. Available reporting confirmed Kopasz's arrest and arraignment but did not establish that a trial had concluded or that a conviction or sentence had been imposed. No additional individuals were publicly identified as defendants in Balzarano's killing in the reporting reviewed.

The death of Paul T. Balzarano left a Stratford household devastated and a community confronting another fatal shooting. Police initially described the incident as isolated and reassured residents that there was no ongoing threat to the public. While investigators identified a suspect and assembled evidence connecting him to the shooting, the question of exactly what precipitated the deadly confrontation remained unanswered. The case continued through the criminal justice process, with investigators seeking to establish the full circumstances surrounding Balzarano's final moments. Anyone with additional information about the homicide was asked to contact Stratford Police Detective Marc Halper at 203-385-4126.