現年61歲的Alison Russo-Elling在紐約市消防局已經工作了25年。
作為隊內的緊急醫療技術人員,她一直熱心於工作,照顧隊內的每一位同事。
Lt. Alison Russo-Elling was retiring in 6 months.
— Michael Henry (@michaelhenry4ag) September 30, 2022
She served us on September 11th.
Yesterday, she was brutally stabbed over 20 times by a madman who walked up to her while she was on duty.
New Yorkers have had enough of the violence on our streets. pic.twitter.com/GUFAMiZfAB
2001年9月11日,震驚世界的911恐怖襲擊事件發生時,Russo就是第一批響應,投入搜救工作的消防員。
在911事件喪生的 2,977 名受害者中,有 420 名是紐約市的緊急救援人員。其中包括343 名紐約市消防局的消防員。
事件已經過去這麽多年,當年執勤的消防員們盡管有的人得以幸存,但仍承受著外傷、呼吸和消化係統疾病。
2019 年 7 月,紐約官方報告稱,有 200 名消防員死於911空襲後的相關疾病。
在此後的每年911紀念日中,這批消防員的犧牲與貢獻都在背一遍又一遍的銘記。
The senseless murder of @FDNY EMS Lt. Alison Russo-Elling is tragic loss mourned by all of NYC. A 25-year veteran, she was a dedicated public servant who selflessly cared for people in their time of need. Lt. Russo-Elling led a life of significance. Praying for her family. pic.twitter.com/sE7z0vciFr
— Bill Bratton (@CommissBratton) September 30, 2022
然而作為其中一員的Russo,並沒有等到帶著榮譽退休的那一天,而是被一名手持牛排刀的惡徒當街刺殺,身中19刀身亡。
周四下午,Russo在執勤的間隙去工作站取食物,路過第 20 大道和施坦威街交叉口附近時, 34 歲的 Peter
Zisopoulos突然拿出一把牛排刀,將Russo撞倒並開始攻擊她。
NYC is a city full of cowards. They just look… while she bleeds.
— Lawrence Jones III (@LawrenceBJones3) September 30, 2022
pic.twitter.com/zfywxj2kRH
Zisopoulos辱罵著Russo,並持刀不斷刺向她,隨後潛逃至附近的公寓。
警方趕到後,談判小組和緊急服務部門的成員將嫌疑人勸離了大樓。
This is Peter Zisopoulous.
— Michael Henry (@michaelhenry4ag) September 30, 2022
He has been charged with murder in vicious stabbing of FDNY EMT Alison Russo-Elling.
The attack was completely unprovoked.
A witness confronted him & he yelled, "F*** you."
I am running to STOP the CRIME CRISIS in NY. https://t.co/12clLP7IQD
資料顯示Zisopoulos 之前沒有被捕經曆,與Russo更是沒有有任何聯係。執法部門消息人士稱,他患有精神病史。
Zisopoulos 目前被指控犯有謀殺罪和非法持有武器罪,尚未被傳訊。
Peter Zisopoulos stabs to death 61 year old Alison Russo-Elling multiple times on a public street. She was a 24-year FDNY veteran in New York City... 6 months from retiring.
— Suzanne (@MayKelly) September 30, 2022
He was arrested at his home. pic.twitter.com/sKZwt9q33p
悲劇發生後,紐約市長亞當斯說:“我們失去了一位英雄,她為這座城市提供了超過 24 年的服務,襲擊她的人已被逮捕,並將對其行為負責。”
Today 25 year veteran EMS Lt. Alison Russo-Elling was Murdered in the Line of Duty while attending to a patient.
— FDNY UFA (@UFANYC) September 30, 2022
The UFA and all members of the FDNY are Enraged at the senseless killing and ever increasing violence in our city.
It has to stop. pic.twitter.com/ngMxdUmOct
所有紐約市消防局的工作人員們對這個噩耗感到震驚和悲傷,他們聚集在搶救過Russo的醫院互相安慰並哀悼。
消防局發言人稱:“這起事件是“野蠻且完全無端的襲擊”,Russo
中尉是紐約消防局的典範,她是911事件的第一響應者。她因勇敢和拯救生命的工作而被多次誇獎。她在這份工作中絕對受到愛戴。”
為了紀念Russo的離世,亞當斯市長下令周四晚間將紐約所有建築的旗幟降半旗。紐約州州長Kathy
Hochul要求從周五日出到Russo的葬禮後,降半旗以紀念她的貢獻。
紐約警察和消防員福利基金會將向 Russo的家人提供 50,000 美元的經濟幫助。