POWNAL, Vt. — The Vermont State Police Thursday announced they have obtained an arrest warrant for a Massachusetts man on a murder charge arising from a fatal stabbing Feb. 6 in Pownal.

 

The suspect is identified as Elizah Coppedge, 18, of Chicopee, police said. He faces a charge of second-degree murder in the killing of Casey Gras, 36, of Bennington. A Vermont Superior Court judge in Bennington County signed the warrant last week and ordered that Coppedge be held without bail upon his arrest.

 

Police describe Coppedge as a Black man, 6 feet, 2 inches tall, weighing 200 pounds, with brown eyes and brown hair. His last known whereabouts were in Pittsfield, Mass., on the night of Feb. 6.

 

The police investigation indicates this was an isolated incident that arose from a drug-related dispute, according to the Vermont State Police news release.

 

Police ask anyone with information on Coppedge’s whereabouts to call their local police department or the Vermont State Police in Shaftsbury at 802-442-5421. Anonymous tips also can be submitted through VSP’s website at https://vsp.vermont.gov/tipsubmit.