FDNY EMS lieutenant stabbed to death by man in Queens, suspect in custody

ASTORIA, Queens — A suspect has been taken into custody after a 61-year-old on-duty FDNY Emergency Medical Providers lieutenant was stabbed to loss of life in Queens Thursday.

The incident occurred in Astoria round 2:15 p.m., our sister-station WABC reported.

Police say the sufferer, recognized as EMS Lieutenant Alison Russo-Elling, was stabbed to loss of life in an unprovoked assault whereas on responsibility and standing outdoors of FDNY EMS Station 49.

They are saying the suspect, sporting a lightweight grey t-shirt, brandished a knife and stabbed Russo quite a few occasions.

She was taken to Mount Sinai Queens Hospital, the place she was pronounced lifeless.

Police say the suspect then fled the scene and ran to 19-80 and forty first Road and barricaded himself inside his third flooring house.

Members of the hostage negotiating crew and emergency service unit talked the suspect out of the constructing.

Police walked him throughout the road. He had not a hint of emotion on his face.

Neighbors describe him simply that means, as a loner they might typically see strolling, expressionless, across the block.

“He appeared to have a routine,” neighbor Camilla Groth mentioned. “Simply strolling across the block perhaps a two or three block radius, all the time solitary, not on his telephone, by no means speaking to anybody and all the time by himself and simply very self-contained. And I observed that.”

However now he is accused of incomprehensible violence. An unprovoked assault on a public servant.

He was taken into custody with prices pending.

In the meantime, the 25-year veteran of the FDNY was additionally a 9/11 first responder.

Russo was appointed to the FDNY as an EMT in 1998. She was then promoted to paramedic in 2002, and to lieutenant in 2016. She labored at a number of EMS stations throughout the town, together with Station 20, Station 17, Station 16, Station 45, Queens Tactical Response and Station 49, the place she had been working for the final 12 months.

The lieutenant additionally served as a rescue paramedic in her profession and had coaching for performing pre-hospital emergency medical care.

The 61-year-old was a Lengthy Island resident and is survived by her daughter, grandchildren and her dad and mom.

“We misplaced certainly one of our heroes, she supplied a service to the town for over 24 years, her assailant has been apprehended and will likely be held accountable for his actions,” New York Metropolis Mayor Eric Adams mentioned.

There was an outpouring of emotion and sympathy outdoors the hospital.

When phrase bought out that an EMS lieutenant had been attacked on the job and didn’t make it, FDNY EMS members gathered on the hospital to console each other and to mourn.

Performing Fireplace Commissioner Laura Kavanaugh and an FDNY chaplain led a prayer circle within the space the place ambulances pull into the hospital. There have been quite a lot of tears and hugs.

Russo’s physique emerged from an emergency room Wednesday evening surrounded by uniformed FDNY personnel.

The FDNY Firefighters and Fireplace Officers associations launched a joint assertion in response to Russo’s loss of life:

“The loss of life of Alison Russo is a tragic reminder of the risks confronted by every member of the FDNY and uniformed providers. Her mindless killing brings sorrow to each member of the FDNY. We stand in solidarity with our brothers and sisters within the Division with bowed heads, and we are going to perpetually be right here to help our FDNY household on this unspeakably troublesome time. We lengthen our deepest sympathies and condolences to Alison’s household, family members, and colleagues.”

Mayor Adams ordered flags on all metropolis buildings to be lowered to half-staff Thursday evening.

New York Governor Kathy Hochul has additionally requested that flags be flown at half workers in honor of Lieutenant Russo from dawn Friday till after her funeral. There isn’t any phrase but on when that will likely be.

The NY Police and Fireplace Widows’ & Youngsters’s Profit Fund, also referred to as Reply the Name, introduced they are going to be offering Russo’s household with $50,000 to assist them financially.