FDNY EMS Lieutenant Alison Russo-Elling, a 9/11 first responder, was killed in an unprovoked deadly attack while on duty in Astoria last Thursday. The attack occurred near the intersection of 20th Avenue and Steinway Street in Astoria at 2:15 p.m.
The FDNY hung purple and black flags— a symbol of fallen first responders— at EMS Station 49 in Queens, where Lt. Russo-Elling served.
Grieving colleagues said she “was the mother hen of the station” after the bunting was raised outside the station.
The FDNY said, “FDNY members salute #FDNY Emergency Medical Service Lieutenant Alison Russon-Elling during her dignified transfer. She is the 1,158th member of the Department to make the Supreme Sacrifice while serving our city,” in a tweet last Friday.
The Huntington Community First Aid Squad also set up black and purple bunting, where Lt. Russo-Elling was a member. Her 30th anniversary was coming up this November.
“Members of EMS serve only to help and save other people’s lives,” Acting Fire Commissioner Laura Kavanagh said at a news conference. “To be attacked and killed in the course of helping others is both heartbreaking and enraging for our department in ways I cannot describe.”
“She served the city for 25 years. She was a World Trade Center first responder. She was cited multiple times for her bravery and her life-saving work. And she was absolutely beloved on this job,” Kavanagh said.
Russo-Elling, 61, became an EMT at the FDNY in 1998. Just 4 years later, she became a paramedic and was officiated as a lieutenant in 2016. She worked at 6 EMS stations across the city, including Station 20, Station 17, Station 16, Station 45, Queens Tactical Response and Station 49— where she had been working for the past year.
“In one moment, just a short time away from her planned retirement, in one moment a lifetime of work came crashing to an end,” Chief of EMS Lillian Bonsignore said.
Colleagues noticed a parallel between the death of Lt. Russo-Elling and EMT Yadira Arroyo’s death when she was run over in the Bronx in 2017.
“Lt. Russo is the second EMS woman, second mother, second EMS member to be murdered on these streets in the last five years,” Bonsignore said.
The suspect was identified as Peter Zisopoulos, 34. Until now, he has maintained a clean record and has no connection to the Lieutenant. Law enforcement officials say he has a history of mental illness.
“We have been told police had a prior interaction with Zisopoulos in 2018, when he was making hateful statements and threats,” Mayor Adams said. “He was hospitalized at that time but not charged.”
Two witnesses who knew the suspect informed the police of Zisopoulos’ address. After the attack, Zisopoulos fled to his apartment and barricaded himself inside his third-floor apartment. Police said one of the witnesses chased him into his apartment building on 41st Street.
After the attack, Zisopoulos fled to his apartment. The hostage negotiating team and emergency service unit communicated with the suspect for about 90 minutes before walking out of the building unhinged.
“He seemed to have a routine,” neighbor Camilla Groth told ABC. “Just walking around the block, maybe a two or three block radius, always solitary, not on his phone, never talking to anyone and always by himself and just very self-contained. And I noticed that.”
He is charged with murder and criminal possession of a weapon— and is now considered a public threat.
Funeral arrangements were announced last Saturday.
This week, a three-day “celebration of life” was planned to honor the fallen Lieutenant.
The wake took place Monday and Tuesday from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Commack Abbey Funeral Home. The funeral was held at the Tilles Center for the Performing Arts in Brookville on Wednesday at 11 a.m.
Lt. Russo-Elling was a Huntington resident and survived by her daughter, grandchildren and parents.
The Messenger wants to thank all first responders and law enforcement officials who put their lives on the line for us every single day. We honor those who are currently serving and the fallen.
We will not forget Lieutenant Russo-Elling.
