QUEENS, NY – The man convicted of murdering a veteran New York City EMS lieutenant nearly two years ago has been sentenced to 25 years to life in prison, the maximum penalty allowed under state law.
Peter Zisopoulos, 37, was found guilty in May of second-degree murder and criminal possession of a weapon for the stabbing death of Lieutenant Alison Russo-Elling, 61, as she walked to lunch near her Astoria station in September 2022. The jury needed less than an hour of deliberation to reach a verdict after a 12-day trial this spring.
Authorities said Zisopoulos emerged from his apartment building just blocks from the firehouse, pursued Russo-Elling—who was in uniform at the time—and violently attacked her, dragging her to the sidewalk and stabbing her more than 20 times. The fatal wounds struck her chest and abdomen, puncturing multiple internal organs, according to court testimony.
The random attack was witnessed by a passing scooter driver, who yelled at the assailant to stop. Zisopoulos reportedly gave chase with the knife before ultimately returning to his building. First responders found the lieutenant critically wounded and rushed her to a nearby hospital, where she was pronounced dead.
Police located Zisopoulos inside his residence after a brief standoff. Officers recovered a bloodied kitchen knife from his pocket bearing both his and Russo-Elling’s DNA. Investigators later confirmed there was no known connection between the suspect and his victim, underscoring the random nature of the killing.
Russo-Elling had dedicated 24 years to serving the city with FDNY’s Emergency Medical Services. Respected by colleagues and remembered for her compassion in the field, she was posthumously promoted to the rank of captain.
During Monday’s sentencing hearing, members of Russo-Elling’s family addressed the court, sharing their heartbreak and confronting the man responsible for her death. Emotional statements underscored the personal and community loss felt since her murder.
City officials, including FDNY leadership, described Russo-Elling as a dedicated first responder who, among other achievements, participated in the search and recovery mission following the September 11 attacks. Many in the department mourned her loss and voiced hope that the conclusion of the case would help begin to heal the community and her loved ones.
Defense attorneys for Zisopoulos referenced their client’s history of psychiatric issues dating back several years. Nevertheless, the court determined that he should serve the maximum sentence for the crime.
Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz called the killing “brutal and senseless,” and expressed hope that the lengthy prison term would provide some measure of solace for the family and city. She stressed that Russo-Elling’s dedication to saving lives and helping others would not be forgotten.
Zisopoulos will serve his sentence in state prison, with the possibility of parole decades in the future.