Press Release

Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced today that Peter Zisopoulos was convicted at trial of murder in the second degree and weapon possession for the vicious knife attack that claimed the life of Lieutenant Alison Russo, a 24-year veteran of the FDNY EMS. The victim was posthumously promoted to captain. The unprovoked attack occurred just steps from the victim’s stationhouse in Astoria in September 2022.

District Attorney Katz said, “Alison Russo was a long-time public servant who cared deeply for the people of New York. Our city is still in mourning for a woman who saved countless lives as a member of the FDNY EMS and as a volunteer with her local ambulance company on Long Island. This defendant, armed with a serrated kitchen knife, repeatedly stabbed Russo in an unprovoked attack in September 2022 as the woman walked less than a block from her EMS stationhouse. Sadly, despite the extraordinary intervention of her EMS coworkers and emergency room doctors, Russo could not be saved. I hope this conviction brings Alison’s family, friends and coworkers solace as we continue to grieve her loss.”

Zisopoulos, 37, of 41^st Street in Astoria, was found guilty of murder in the second degree and criminal possession of a weapon in the fourth degree after a jury trial.

Trial openings began on May 7 and summations took place on May 19. The jury deliberated for less than one hour before reaching a verdict.

Queens Supreme Court Justice Ushir Pandit-Durant set June 30, 2025, for sentencing. Zisopoulos faces 25 years to life in prison.

According to the charges and trial testimony, on September 29, 2022, at approximately 2:10 p.m., Alison Russo was in her uniform and on duty as she left her stationhouse and walked along 41^st Street near 20th Avenue. Zisopoulos walked out of his apartment building, charged at Russo and shoved her to the sidewalk. The defendant repeatedly plunged a kitchen knife into the 61-year-old woman’s chest and abdomen, penetrating her liver, lungs and heart.

According to trial testimony, a man on a scooter tried to intervene and shouted at the defendant. Zisopoulos yelled at the man on the scooter and then chased him away with a knife in his hand.

After running toward the witness on the scooter, Zisopoulos walked past Russo as she bled on the sidewalk, turned the corner and walked into his apartment building.

A good Samaritan followed Zisopoulos and then ran to the nearby EMS station to get help.

Police responded to the scene and – after a standoff during which Zisopoulos refused to open his apartment door – he was arrested. A knife was recovered from the defendant’s front pants pocket. Testing determined that a mixture of DNA was found on the knife belonging to both Russo and the defendant.

The victim was taken to a nearby hospital where she was pronounced dead.

Assistant District Attorney Jonathan Selkowe, Deputy Bureau Chief of the District Attorney’s Homicide Bureau, prosecuted the case with the assistance of Assistant District Attorney Siranoush Nalbandian, of the District Attorney’s Felony Trial Bureau IV, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney John Kosinski, Bureau Chief, and under the overall supervision of Executive Assistant District Attorney for the Major Crimes Division Shawn Clark.