Knife Attack in Times Square Leaves One Dead, One Injured
A woman stabbed two people in New York's Times Square on Monday, killing one and injuring another before being shot dead by police, according to NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch. The attacker, identified as 49-year-old Queens resident Pamela Cisneros, approached a 68-year-old man and stabbed him in the abdomen. Twenty seconds later, she attacked a 32-year-old woman, also stabbing her in the abdomen—wounds to which she later succumbed.
The second victim was identified as Erin Piacenti, 32, of Chester, New Jersey, who died at Bellevue Hospital, the New York City Police Department said. Piacenti worked as vice president of business selection and conflicts at Bank of America, about a block from where she was attacked, according to her LinkedIn profile. She graduated from the University of Pennsylvania in 2016 and Fordham Law School in 2021. The 68-year-old man was hospitalized in stable condition.
Mayor Zohran Mamdani announced the deaths at a press conference, noting that the second victim was in stable condition at the time. Police said a woman carrying two knives in a Target bag stabbed Piacenti and the man near West 41st Street and Seventh Avenue around 4:24 m. Monday.
Police Response and Shooting
Police officers intervened and attempted to persuade Cisneros to drop her weapons. Commissioner Tisch said, "The officers engaged the woman in dialogue for four minutes and gave her numerous commands to drop the knives, which she refused." She added, "During the encounter, she told the officers, 'I'm not dropping anything. I would rather kill both of you.'"
A witness told local TV outlet PIX11 that the suspect had two knives in her hands and was tased by police before she rushed at officers. "They shot her twice," the unnamed witness said. Police confirmed that they unsuccessfully used a stun gun before firing their handguns. Cisneros was pronounced dead at the hospital.
Commissioner Tisch described the incident: "This was an extraordinarily dangerous situation unfolding in the heart of Times Square, the crossroads of the world. Our officers were confronted with a rapidly evolving threat with countless innocent people around them. In that moment, they did what we trained them to do." She added, "One life cut far too short by a senseless act of violence. There are family members and loved ones who are now confronting the unimaginable loss, and our hearts are with them."
Mayor Mamdani thanked the responding officers, saying they "stepped in and prevented a horrific attack from becoming even worse."
Motive and Official Statements
Police said they do not believe the attack was terror-related. Commissioner Tisch attributed the attack to the individual actions of Cisneros, who was known to have mental health issues. The attacker pulled two large knives from a bag bearing the logo of a well-known supermarket chain before threatening passersby in broad daylight.
Bank of America issued a statement on the death of Erin Piacenti: "We are shocked and deeply saddened by the tragic loss of our colleague. She was a valued teammate who will be greatly missed. Our hearts go out to her family and all of her loved ones."
An AFP journalist at the scene reported a large emergency services presence, with officials inspecting a patch of blood in Times Square.