Latest news with #Zisopoulos
30-06-2025
Man sentenced to 25 years to life for fatal stabbing of 9/11 emergency responder
NEW YORK -- A New York man on Monday was sentenced to serve 25 years to life in prison for the fatal stabbing of a veteran emergency worker while she was on a break, according to prosecutors Peter Zisopoulos, 37, was convicted in May of second-degree murder for killing Lt. Alison Russo-Elling, then 61, as she walked from her fire department station to a nearby store for food in 2022. She was remembered by mourners as a dedicated public servant who responded to the World Trade Center on Sept. 11, 2001. There's no indication that Zisopoulos knew Russo-Elling. His public defender lawyer has said that Zisopoulos 'has a past psychiatric history going back to 2018.' The lawyer did not immediately respond to a message left with his office on Monday. Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz called the killing 'brutal and senseless.' Russo-Elling was months away from retirement when she died. She was promoted posthumously from EMS lieutenant to the rank of captain. 'Today, we are appreciative that her killer has been sentenced to the maximum punishment: 25 years to life. This sentencing speaks to the brutality of the crime, and though it won't bring her back, I pray it will finally give her family the closure they deserve,' said Fire Commissioner Robert S. Tucker.
Hamilton Spectator
30-06-2025
- Hamilton Spectator
Man sentenced to 25 years to life for fatal stabbing of 9/11 emergency responder
NEW YORK (AP) — A New York man on Monday was sentenced to serve 25 years to life in prison for the fatal stabbing of a veteran emergency worker while she was on a break, according to prosecutors Peter Zisopoulos, 37, was convicted in May of second-degree murder for killing Lt. Alison Russo-Elling, then 61, as she walked from her fire department station to a nearby store for food in 2022. She was remembered by mourners as a dedicated public servant who responded to the World Trade Center on Sept. 11, 2001. There's no indication that Zisopoulos knew Russo-Elling. His public defender lawyer has said that Zisopoulos 'has a past psychiatric history going back to 2018.' The lawyer did not immediately respond to a message left with his office on Monday. Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz called the killing 'brutal and senseless.' Russo-Elling was months away from retirement when she died. She was promoted posthumously from EMS lieutenant to the rank of captain. 'Today, we are appreciative that her killer has been sentenced to the maximum punishment: 25 years to life. This sentencing speaks to the brutality of the crime, and though it won't bring her back, I pray it will finally give her family the closure they deserve,' said Fire Commissioner Robert S. Tucker. Monday's sentencing came after the unrelated fatal shooting of two on-duty firefighters in Idaho over the weekend. Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
Winnipeg Free Press
30-06-2025
- Winnipeg Free Press
Man sentenced to 25 years to life for fatal stabbing of 9/11 emergency responder
NEW YORK (AP) — A New York man on Monday was sentenced to serve 25 years to life in prison for the fatal stabbing of a veteran emergency worker while she was on a break, according to prosecutors Peter Zisopoulos, 37, was convicted in May of second-degree murder for killing Lt. Alison Russo-Elling, then 61, as she walked from her fire department station to a nearby store for food in 2022. She was remembered by mourners as a dedicated public servant who responded to the World Trade Center on Sept. 11, 2001. There's no indication that Zisopoulos knew Russo-Elling. His public defender lawyer has said that Zisopoulos 'has a past psychiatric history going back to 2018.' The lawyer did not immediately respond to a message left with his office on Monday. Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz called the killing 'brutal and senseless.' Russo-Elling was months away from retirement when she died. She was promoted posthumously from EMS lieutenant to the rank of captain. 'Today, we are appreciative that her killer has been sentenced to the maximum punishment: 25 years to life. This sentencing speaks to the brutality of the crime, and though it won't bring her back, I pray it will finally give her family the closure they deserve,' said Fire Commissioner Robert S. Tucker. Monday's sentencing came after the unrelated fatal shooting of two on-duty firefighters in Idaho over the weekend.
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Yahoo
Queens man convicted in killing of FDNY EMS lieutenant Alison Russo
QUEENS, N.Y. (PIX11) — A man was convicted of murder for viciously stabbing an FDNY EMS lieutenant to death a block from her Queens stationhouse three years ago, authorities said. Peter Zisopoulos, 37, was found guilty of murder Monday after the jury deliberated for less than an hour after the eight-day trial wrapped up, according to prosecutors. More Local News 'Alison Russo was a long-time public servant who cared deeply for the people of New York. Our city is still in mourning for a woman who saved countless lives as a member of the FDNY EMS and as a volunteer with her local ambulance company on Long Island,' Queens DA Melinda Katz said. Zisopoulos stabbed FDNY EMS Lieutenant Alison Russo, 61, more than 20 times with a serrated knife near 41st Street near 20th Avenue in Astoria at around 2:20 p.m. on Sept. 29, 2022, according to court records. The stab wounds punctured the city worker's lungs, liver, and heart. Russo was rushed to the hospital but could not be saved. The defendant threatened a good Samaritan on a scooter with a knife when he tried to intervene before barricading himself in his Astoria apartment, prosecutors said. Zisopoulos was then arrested, and the bloody knife was found in his pants pockets, according to court records. Russo, a 24-year veteran of the FDNY, was posthumously promoted to captain. 'While the verdict will not bring Captain Russo back to us, I pray her family and those who loved her get some sense of closure from this. Captain Russo was a hero and continues to be a source of inspiration and strength to her colleagues and to this department,' FDNY Commissioner Robert S. Tucker said. Zisopoulos faces 25 years in prison when he is sentenced on June 30. His attorney could not be reached Monday. Mira Wassef is a digital reporter who has covered news and sports in the NYC area for more than a decade. She has been with PIX11 News for two years. See more of her work here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
New York Post
19-05-2025
- New York Post
Maniac who slaughtered beloved FDNY paramedic found guilty of murder in the brutal, random NYC attack
The maniac accused of ruthlessly stabbing beloved FDNY EMS Lt. Alison Russo was found guilty of her murder Monday — following a shocking trial where her relatives and colleagues were forced to relieve the horrific act. Jurors in Queens Supreme Court deliberated for less than an hour before convicting 37-year-old Peter Zisopoulos of second-degree murder and weapon possession for randomly attacking Russo, 61, during her lunch break in September 2022. Russo's relatives celebrated the swift verdict, which came after an approximately week-long trial where Zisopoulos took the stand and chillingly showed virtually no emotion as prosecutors played gruesome footage of the slaying. 'This brings closure for my family,' Craig Fuoco, Russo's brother, said after the jury's decision was delivered. 5 Members of the FDNY filled the hallway following the guilty verdict. James Messerschmidt 'Nothing can erase the pain. Alison's missed every day,' Fuoco said, while flanked by his late sister's FDNY colleagues and her daughter, Danielle Russo. 'We're ready to start healing and keep Alison's memory alive,' he said. '[I'm] happy that I think justice was done. Happy to start to move forward. But Alison will continue to be missed. It's continuing to be difficult to move on, but we'll find a way.' Zisopoulos, of Astoria, will face 25-year-to-life in prison at his sentencing June 30. Video played at trial showed the unhinged attacker knocking over the 9/11 first-responder and knifing her 20 times just a half-block from her stationhouse. Prosecutors said Zisopoulos attacked Russo in broad daylight on Sept. 29, 2022 while she was on duty in her uniform. 5 Alison Russo was a 24-year veteran with the FDNY EMS and assisted as a first responder during 9/11. James Messerschmidt He walked out of his apartment building and rushed at Russo, shoving her to the pavement and getting on top of her — before stabbing her repeatedly with a serrated kitchen knife in the chest and abdomen, including her lungs, liver and heart. A bystander on a scooter tried to intervene, but was chased away by a still-armed Zisopoulos, according to trial evidence. The knife-wielding attacker then circled back — walking around Russo as she lay bleeding out on the sidewalk — and returned to the apartment he shared with his mother, prosecutors said. Another bystander spotted Zisopoulos and ran to a nearby EMS station for help. 5 Peter Zisopoulos stabbed Russo 20 times, including nine times in the heart. Michael Nagle 5 Zisopoulos could face 25 years to life at his sentencing in late June. BRIGITTE STELZER Police arrested Zisopoulos after a brief standoff while he was locked in his apartment. The serrated knife was found by cops in Zisopoulos' front pants pocket, and tested positive for both his and Russo's DNA, prosecutors said. During his stint on the witness stand Friday, Zisopoulos repeatedly provided inconsistent responses about the attack. For instance, he presented three different alibis for what he was doing when Russo was killed, including telling the New York Post during a jailhouse interview in 2023 that he had been busy watching Star Wars at the time. 5 Photos of beloved FDNY EMS Lt. Alison Russo featured at her wake in 2022. 'Alison Russo was a long-time public servant who cared deeply for the people of New York. Our city is still in mourning for a woman who saved countless lives as a member of the FDNY EMS and as a volunteer with her local ambulance company on Long Island,' Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz said in a statement. 'I hope this conviction brings Alison's family, friends and coworkers solace as we continue to grieve her loss.' FDNY Commissioner Robert Tucker said that while the verdict will not bring Russo back, 'I pray her family and those who loved her get some sense of closure from this.' 'Russo was a hero and continues to be a source of inspiration and strength to her colleagues and to this Department,' Tucker said in a statement.
