An Astoria man has been convicted of the 2022 murder of an FDNY EMS lieutenant, a crime that rocked the local community in Queens. Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced the verdict, which concluded the trial of Peter Zisopoulos, who was found guilty of second-degree murder and weapon possession in the fatal stabbing of Alison Russo. Russo, who served the FDNY EMS for 24 years, was attacked near her stationhouse in Astoria and subsequently died from her injuries, according to a statement from the Queens District Attorney's Office.
The jury's decision came swiftly, reaching a guilty verdict after deliberating for less than an hour yesterday. The trial, which began with opening statements on May 7, was presided over by Queens Supreme Court Justice Ushir Pandit-Durant. The horrific details, of the case revealed that on September 29, 2022, Zisopoulos, then 37, attacked Russo with a serrated kitchen knife, inflicting fatal wounds. As she walked in her uniform, the unprovoked assault occured, only a short distance from her place of duty.
"Alison Russo was a long-time public servant who cared deeply for the people of New York," District Attorney Katz stated in an official release. The loss of Russo, who not only excelled in her professional capacity but also volunteered with a local ambulance company on Long Island, left a painful void. The DA's office hopes that "this conviction brings Alison’s family, friends and coworkers solace as we continue to grieve her loss." Zisopoulos is slated for sentencing on June 30, 2025, and he faces a sentence of 25 years to life in prison.
During the trial, a testimonial recount of the attack depicted Zisopoulos shoving Russo to the ground and repeatedly stabbing her, targeting vital organs such as her liver, lungs, and heart. Witnesses, including a man on a scooter who attempted to intervene, were present during the assault. After scaring off this witness, the assailant nonchalantly passed by Russo, as she lay bleeding and turned the corner into his apartment building. His arrest followed after a standoff in his residence, where police found him armed with the weapon used in the murder. The recovered knife, found in Zisopoulos' front pants pocket, was later tested and discovered to have a mixture of DNA from both he and Russo.
Assistant District Attorney Jonathan Selkowe, alongside Siranoush Nalbandian under the supervision of John Kosinski and Shawn Clark of the Major Crimes Division, prosecuted the case. They presented a narrative backed by evidence and witness testimonies which led to the conviction of Zisopoulos. Russo was honored posthumously with a promotion to captain, a tribute to her service and sacrifice. She was pronounced dead at a nearby hospital following the September attack, leaving a community to mourn the senseless loss of one of its dedicated first responders.
