A beloved FDNY lieutenant was stabbed by a maniac on a Queens road Thursday afternoon in an unprovoked assault that occurred as she went to seize meals, authorities mentioned.
Lt. Alison Russo-Elling, a 61-year-old grandma and division veteran who was a World Commerce Heart responder on Sept. 11, 2001, was stabbed greater than 20 occasions by an assailant at twentieth Avenue and forty first Road round 2:20 p.m., police mentioned.
In horrific surveillance footage from the scene, Russo-Elling is knocked to the bottom by a knife-wielding madman, who proceeds to stab her repeatedly as she lies helpless on the concrete.
The mother — described by her union as “the sweetest, kindest individual you’ve ever met” — was on responsibility on the time and was a few half-block from her unit, Station 49, on the sidewalk when she was attacked, NYPD Chief of Detectives James Essig mentioned.
Suspect Peter Zisopoulos, 34, has been charged along with her homicide, authorities mentioned Friday. He has no prior arrests, cops mentioned.
Officers didn't give particulars about what sparked the violence, however authorities mentioned the assault was “unprovoked.”
“At this level within the investigation, there doesn’t seem to have been any prior contact between them,” an FDNY supply mentioned. “He simply walked towards her, sped up after which stabbed her to dying.”
A mugshot of the alleged killer who stabbed Lt. Alison Russo-Elling to dying.
EMTs lineup at Mount Sinai Hospital after Lt. Alison Russo-Elling handed away.
Emergency employees honor fallen Lt. Alison Russo-Elling at Mount Sinai Hospital.
Russo-Elling, a 25-year veteran of the division, was rushed to Mount Sinai Hospital in important situation however couldn't be saved, police mentioned.
The mother, who had an grownup daughter and labored out of Astoria and lived on Lengthy Island, “was about six or seven months away from retirement,” mentioned Vincent Variale, president of Native 3621 — including that she was a “very courageous” employee.
Grieving Capt. Mike Daddona of EMS Station 58 in Canarsie, Brooklyn, recalled, “We grew up collectively on the job.
“I name it rising up on the job — you are available in as infants and also you develop up.”
The sufferer would name everybody “cookie,” he added.
“Nice humorousness. She all the time greeted you with a smile,” he mentioned. “It doesn't matter what was happening, she had a smile.”
The alleged perp was arrested after he was chased by an excellent Samaritan and barricaded himself inside his close by condo, Essig mentioned.
On the third ground of the condo, police had been capable of speak him down and take him into custody, Essig mentioned.
One one that lived within the space close to the crime scene mentioned she felt “horrible” for the officer.
“God, what’s happening on this world as a result of that is such a quiet space,” mentioned Connie Syrigos. “That is all households right here, first rate folks, working folks, and this by no means occurred earlier than. So after I noticed this, I used to be very shocked.”
FDNY Appearing Commissioner Laura Kavanagh known as Russo’s dying “heartbreaking,” including she was stabbed in a “barbaric and utterly unprovoked assault.”
“We misplaced one in every of our heroes,” Mayor Eric Adams mentioned throughout a press briefing.
EMS personnel wait exterior the Medical Examiner's workplace close to Bellevue Hospital in Manhattan for the physique of their colleague.
Firefighters salute because the physique of EMS Lieutenant Alison Russo-Elling is taken into the Medical Examiner's workplace.
EMS Lieutenant Alison Russo-Elling's physique is taken into the Medical Examiner's workplace.
Camilla Groth, 50, who lives on the identical block because the crime scene, known as the man a loner and “bizarre,” and mentioned she first observed him when she moved in about two years in the past.
“Loner … One thing off however utterly non-violent,” Groth mentioned of her neighbor. “I’ve handed him on these facet streets like right here or over there,” Groth mentioned, gesturing. “I usually go to the opposite facet of the road. I didn’t wish to meet him or say hello or something.
The suspect was apprehended by police on the scene.
The assault was characterised as 'unprovoked.'
“I’ve by no means seen him with one other individual. He was all the time by himself after I noticed him,” she added.
Violence in opposition to FDNY employees shouldn't be extraordinary within the Huge Apple. 5 years in the past, EMT Yadira Arroyo was struck and killed by her personal ambulance after it was stolen within the Bronx.
The person accused of killing her, Jose Gonzalez, was decided match to face trial earlier this month. His trial date is Jan. 3, 2023, CBS Information reported Thursday.
A 25-year-old Richmond College Medical Heart EMT was shot in an ambulance by an intoxicated man being transported on Staten Island in 2019. A 20-year-old EMT was attacked the identical yr on the clock.
One other courageous paramedic was savagely attacked on responsibility final yr by a crazed teenager who allegedly took a chew out of her face.
On Thursday night, the flag at Station 49 the place Russo labored was lowered to half-staff as first responders had been seen gathering exterior the station to mourn the lack of their colleague.
EMS employees embrace one another following the stabbing.
Police stand on a rooftop on the scene of the assault.
Onlookers collect on the scene.
NYPD reply to the scene the place the EMT Lieutenant was stabbed.
The primary responder works out of Station 49 in Astoria.
In a joint assertion, FDNY-Firefighters Affiliation president Andrew Ansbro and FDNY-Fireplace Officers Affiliation president Lt. James McCarthy mentioned they stand in solidarity with “our brothers and sisters” within the division.
“The dying of Alison Russo is a tragic reminder of the risks confronted by every member of the FDNY and uniformed companies,” they mentioned. “Her mindless killing brings sorrow to each member of the FDNY.”
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