Queens man found guilty of murder in FDNY paramedic Alison Russo's stabbing death
An Astoria, Queens man was found guilty Monday in the brutal murder of FDNY paramedic Alison Russo in September 2022.
Russo, a 9/11 first responder and FDNY veteran, was stabbed 20 times while walking from her stationhouse to get a snack.
Peter Zisopoulos, 36, was convicted of second degree murder and weapons possession.
Zisopoulos had pleaded not guilty and testified in his own defense.
Russo's family speaks out
Russo's family spoke out moments after the verdict was read.
"So today, we're thankful to believe justice has been served. This brings closure for my family. Nothing can erase the pain," Russo's brother Craig Fuoco said. "It's tough to explain. Happy that I think justice was done. Happy to start to move forward. But Alison will continue to be missed. It's continuing to be difficult to move on, but we'll find a way."
"We are very proud of the jury's verdict. We do think justice was done today. Unfortunately, we can't bring the lieutenant back," Queens DA Melinda Katz said.
"So people were crying, there were tears in their eyes. There was tears of happiness and tears of sadness. You know, we lost Allison two years ago, but our life was put again in full force today, showing that she's still alive and the person who did this is going the right way," FDNY Executive Officer John Rugen said.
"Your support meant everything. Alison was a hero to many. So we'll carry your spirit forward and please respect that privacy going forward," Fuoco said.
Zisopoulos said he was sleeping during brutal attack
Russo was stabbed to death while she was on break and went to get food after leaving her Astoria stationhouse. She was killed shortly after walking past Zisopoulos' apartment.
Zisopoulos had testified he never left his home the night of the killing. He said he was asleep until police came to knock on his door.
At the time of his arrest, he allegedly had a bloody kitchen knife in his pocket. Arresting officers believed it was the murder weapon.
Monday, during closing arguments, the prosecution replayed the stabbing, which was caught on surveillance camera.
Doctors had previously declared Zisopoulos unfit for trial
Two doctors had previously deemed Zisopoulos psychologically unfit to stand trial.
Russo, 61, was a 25-year FDNY veteran and a 9/11 first responder. She was posthumously promoted to captain, and left behind a daughter, her parents and her younger brother.
Sentencing will be determined following the completion of a pre-sentencing report.
