In what’s being called “barbaric and completely unprovoked,” FDNY EMS Lieutenant Alison Russo-Elling, 61, a 25-year FDNY veteran and first responder on 9/11, was viciously stabbed to death steps away from FDNY EMS Station 49 in Queens on 20th Ave. near 41st St. in Astoria.
Russo-Elling was on her way to the deli to get lunch when she was approached by the suspected murderer, Peter Zisopoulos, 34. He ran towards Russo-Elling and lunged at her with a knife, knocking her to the ground. A graphic video shows the assailant stabbed the victim at least 20 times, “staggered” around the sidewalk as the victim lay motionless on the ground, then fled. A man on a scooter rode by the horrific scene and never stopped to try and help the victim.
According to NYPD Chief of Detectives James Essig, “There were two eyewitnesses who know the perpetrator, one of whom gave chase.” Janki Oomraw, 42, followed Zisopoulos to his place of employment, Peppy’s Auto Repair. “He has a bloody knife in his hand. There was blood all over his hands,” Oomraw said. “When he saw me, he tried to hide the knife in his pockets. It was a long knife,” he added. Oomraw attempted to find out why Zisopoulos stabbed the victim, but he didn’t respond and ran into his 3rd-floor apartment next door to the business. He barricaded himself inside the apartment. Oomraw returned to assist the victim but feared that he was too late.
Russo was rushed to Mount Sinai Hospital, succumbing to her injuries. Police eventually coaxed Zisopoulos out of his apartment and brought him to the 114th precinct in Astoria. The suspect has been charged with murder and criminal possession of a weapon. He has no known connection to the victim and no prior arrests.
Russo also worked with the volunteer ambulance corps in Huntington, Long Island. She “was cited multiple times for her bravery and her life-saving work,” said Fire Commissioner Laura Kavanagh.“She was absolutely beloved on this job,” Kavanagh said. She is the 1,158th member of FDNY to die in the line of duty and the second EMS in the past five years.
