ASTORIA, Queens – A suspect was taken into custody after a 61-year-old FDNY Emergency Medical Services lieutenant was stabbed to death in Queens on Thursday.
The incident happened in Astoria around 2:15 p.m., our sister station WABC reported.
Police say the victim, identified as EMS Lt. Alison Russo-Elling, was stabbed to death in an unprovoked attack while on duty and standing outside FDNY EMS Station 49.
They say the suspect, wearing a light gray T-shirt, was brandishing a knife and stabbed Russo multiple times.
She was taken to Mount Sinai Queens Hospital, where she was pronounced dead.
Police say the suspect then fled the scene and ran to 19-80th and 41st streets and barricaded himself in his third-floor apartment.
Members of the hostage negotiation team and emergency services talked the suspect out of the building.
The police led him across the street. There was no trace of emotion on his face.
Neighbors describe him exactly as the loner they often saw walking blankly around the block.
“He seemed to have a routine,” neighbor Camilla Groth said. “I was just walking around the block maybe two or three blocks, always alone, not on the phone, never talking to anybody and always alone and just very withdrawn. And that’s what I noticed.”
But now he is accused of incomprehensible violence. An unprovoked attack on a public official.
He was taken into custody with charges pending.
Meanwhile, the 25-year FDNY veteran was also a first responder on Sept. 11, 2011.
Russo was appointed to the FDNY as an EMT in 1998. She was then promoted to paramedic in 2002 and lieutenant in 2016. She has worked at several EMS stations throughout the city, including Station 20, Station 17, Station 16, Station 45, Queens Tactical Response and Station 49, where she worked for the past year.
The lieutenant also served as a paramedic in her career and was trained to perform pre-hospital emergency medical care.
The 61-year-old was a resident of Long Island and is survived by her daughter, grandchildren and her parents.
“We have lost one of our heroes, she served the city for over 24 years, her attacker has been apprehended and will be held accountable for his actions,” New York City Mayor Eric Adams said.
Officials made the update after FDNY EMS Lt. Alison Russo, 61, was killed in the line of duty.
There was an outpouring of emotion and sympathy outside the hospital.
When word got out that an EMS lieutenant had been attacked on the job and couldn’t make it, FDNY EMS members gathered at the hospital to comfort and mourn each other.
Acting Fire Commissioner Laura Kavanaugh and an FDNY chaplain led a prayer circle in the area where ambulances pull into the hospital. There were lots of tears and hugs.
Russo’s body emerged from the emergency room Wednesday night surrounded by uniformed FDNY personnel.
The body of slain FDNY EMS Lt. Alison Russo emerged from the Mount Sinai Queens emergency room Wednesday night after she was fatally stabbed outside her station.
The FDNY Firefighters and Fire Officers Association released a joint statement in response to Russo’s death:
“The death of Alison Russo is a tragic reminder of the dangers faced by every member of the FDNY and the uniformed services. Her senseless killing brings grief to every member of the FDNY. We stand in solidarity with our brothers and sisters in the department.” with our heads down and we will forever be here to support our FDNY family during this unspeakably difficult time. Our deepest sympathies and condolences go out to Alison’s family, loved ones and colleagues.’
Mayor Adams ordered flags on all city buildings to be at half-staff Thursday night.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul also requested that flags be flown at half-mast in Lt. Russo’s honor from sunrise Friday until her funeral. It is not yet known when that will be.
The NY Police and Fire Widows’ & Children’s Benefit Fund, also known as Answer the Call, announced it will provide $50,000 in financial assistance to the Russo family.
FDNY EMS lieutenant stabbed to death by man in Queens, suspect in custody
