May 13, 2025
Queens, NY
The trial has commenced for the man accused of the brutal murder of FDNY EMS Lieutenant Alison Russo, a beloved 24-year veteran who was tragically stabbed near her stationhouse in Astoria, Queens. Prosecutors presented a chilling picture to the jury, asserting that the accused, Peter Zisopoulos, acted with a clear "desire to kill" when he allegedly ambushed Lieutenant Russo in broad daylight on September 29, 2022.

A Dedicated Life of Service Cut Short

Assistant District Attorney Jonathan Selkowe painted a portrait of Lieutenant Russo's unwavering commitment to her community. Despite having served over two decades with the FDNY and being eligible for retirement, the 61-year-old hero chose to continue her vital work. Tragically, that fateful day became her last.

Graphic Details of the Alleged Attack

The courtroom heard harrowing details of the alleged crime. Selkowe stated that Zisopoulos, then 34, repeatedly stabbed Lieutenant Russo – twenty times – with a knife. The prosecution emphasized the brutal nature of the attack, highlighting how the blade pierced her lungs, heart, and liver in full view of witnesses and surveillance cameras, just steps away from EMS Station 49. "He had the desire to kill," Selkowe declared, underscoring the prosecution's intent to prove Zisopoulos's malicious intent.

Mental Competency Under Scrutiny

The trial follows a period of legal proceedings where Zisopoulos's mental health was a significant point of discussion. While he was deemed unfit to participate in his defense in June 2023, subsequent evaluations led to the court finding him competent to stand trial. Judge Ushir Pandit-Durant determined that Zisopoulos appeared to understand the trial proceedings, despite differing opinions from court-appointed medical experts.

Surveillance Footage Key Evidence

The prosecution presented a stark account of the alleged attack, stating that Zisopoulos ran up to Lieutenant Russo as she stood on a corner and ambushed her. Surveillance video reportedly captured the moment he knocked her to the ground and repeatedly stabbed her. Following the attack, the accused allegedly barricaded himself in his nearby apartment for an hour before surrendering to the police.

Defense Focuses on Intent

Zisopoulos's defense attorney, Gina Mitchell, acknowledged the "frenzied attack" depicted in the video but questioned the authenticity of the footage and urged the jury to focus on the crucial element of intent. She argued that for Zisopoulos to be convicted of the top murder charge, the prosecution must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that he consciously intended to kill Lieutenant Russo. "Intent means conscious objective or purpose," Mitchell stated, imploring the jury to remain objective despite the horrific details and their sympathy for the victim.

A Community Mourns a Hero

Lieutenant Russo's dedication to her work was further underscored by her career progression within the FDNY. Appointed as an EMT in 1998, she rose through the ranks to paramedic in 2002 and lieutenant in 2016. In a poignant tribute, former FDNY Commissioner Laura Kavanagh posthumously promoted Lieutenant Russo to captain.

The emotional toll of the trial was evident. Lieutenant Russo's daughter, Danielle Fuoco, expressed her distress at seeing a new angle of the attack footage. Anthony Almojera, vice president of the FDNY EMS officers’ union, who knew and worked with Lieutenant Russo, shared his "incredibly angry" reaction to witnessing the video for the first time. He voiced the frustration felt by many over the nearly three-year wait for the trial to begin, emphasizing the strong belief within the EMS community that justice should be served. "He did it. He’s guilty. He should go to jail," Almojera asserted.

Seeking Justice for a Fallen Hero

As the trial unfolds, the focus remains on delivering justice for Lieutenant Alison Russo, a dedicated public servant whose life was tragically cut short. The prosecution aims to prove Zisopoulos's intent, while the defense urges the jury to carefully consider all evidence and the legal definition of intent. The outcome of this trial will undoubtedly have a profound impact on the FDNY EMS community and all those who mourn the loss of this courageous hero.

Peter Zisopoulos, charged in the unprovoked stabbing death of EMT Lt. Alison Russo, appeared for a competence hearing at the Supreme Court in Queens on April 28.