Man Sentenced In Fatal 2022 Stabbing Of FDNY Paramedic, DA Says

QUEENS, NY — A 37-year-old man has been sentenced to 25-years to life in prison in connection with the fatal stabbing of an FDNY paramedic back in 2022, prosecutors announced Monday.

Peter Zisopoulos was found guilty following a jury trial and is accused of attacking and stabbing FDNY EMS Lt. Alison Russo on Sept. 29, 2022, Patch previously reported.

The 37-year-old was convicted of second-degree murder and criminal weapon possession charges.

The unprovoked attack unfolded after 2 p.m., as Russo walked down 20th Avenue. Zisopoulos took a knife out of his pocket, approached her, and "attacked her without provocation" — continuing to stab Russo more than a dozen times after she fell to the ground, Patch previously reported.

The defendant repeatedly plunged a kitchen knife into the 61-year-old woman’s chest and abdomen, penetrating her liver, lungs and heart, prosecutors said.

Zisopoulos was arrested after a stand-off with police shortly after the deadly incident.

“New York will always remember FDNY EMS Captain Alison Russo as a hero, who – for 24 years – served our city and saved countless lives. In the dark days after September 11, she worked in search and recovery efforts in Lower Manhattan," Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz said. "Nothing will bring Captain Russo back, but we hope that the pain and grief over her loss will lessen with today’s sentencing. This defendant will now serve 25 years to life in prison for this brutal and senseless crime.”

Russo was taken to a nearby hospital, where she was pronounced dead. She was posthumously promoted to captain.

FDNY Commissioner Robert Tucker previously called Russo a hero and someone who "continues to be a source of inspiration and strength to her colleagues and to this Department."