Posted on: May 21, 2025 07:00 AM

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Man convicted of murder in fatal stabbing of FDNY captain in Queens

A Queens man was convicted Monday of second-degree murder for fatally stabbing FDNY Captain Alison Russo-Elling in an unprovoked attack outside her Astoria station in 2022, officials said.

Peter Zisopoulos, 37, was also found guilty of criminal possession of a weapon following a jury trial in Queens Supreme Court, officials said. Jurors returned their verdict less than an hour after closing arguments concluded Monday morning, according to the Queens district attorney's office. He faces 25 years to life in prison at sentencing, which is scheduled for June 30.

Russo-Elling, a 61-year-old EMT with 24 years of service, was on duty in uniform on the afternoon of Sept. 29, 2022, when she was attacked steps from EMS Station 49, where she was assigned, officials said. A 9/11 first responder and Long Island resident, she was months away from retirement, authorities said. The FDNY later posthumously promoted her to captain.

Prosecutors said Zisopoulos charged at Russo as she walked along 41st Street near 20th Avenue, shoved her to the ground and stabbed her repeatedly with a serrated kitchen knife. According to trial testimony, the knife wounds pierced her lungs, liver and heart.

A man on a scooter tried to help, but was chased off by Zisopoulos, who then walked past Russo’s body and entered his nearby apartment, authorities said.