Paramedic fatally stabbed in Queens; suspect in custody

New York City officials are reeling from the death of longtime paramedic Lieutenant Alison Russo-Elling who was shockingly stabbed to death in Queens Thursday night while in uniform.

News 12 Staff

Sep 30, 2022, 10:34 AM

Updated 813 days ago

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A Queens man is behind bars following the fatal stabbing of paramedic Lt. Alison Russo-Elling to death Thursday night.
Russo-Elling was a longtime member of the FDNY, with 24 years as an paramedic. Firefighters are saying their goodbyes to one of their own from EMS Station 49, where she worked.
Police say she was only a block away from the station taking her lunch break when she was attacked by 34-year-old Peter Zisopoulo out of nowhere. Police say Zisopoulos then barricaded himself inside an apartment building at the corner of 41st Street and 20th Avenue.
After negotiating, police were able to get him out. He was taken away in handcuffs and has been charged with murder and criminal possession of a weapon.
Russo-Elling was taken to Mt. Sinai Hospital, where she died. 
Russo-Elling was a 9/11 first responder, and the FDNY says she leaves behind one daughter. She is also the second EMS worker to die in the line of duty in the past five years. In 2017, Yadira Arroya was killed in the Bronx while on the job.
It's unclear what led to the stabbing, police say.