NEW YORK (Diya TV) — A Bank of America vice president was fatally stabbed in an apparently random attack in New York City’s Times Square on Monday afternoon, authorities said. Police later fatally shot the woman accused of carrying out the attack.
Police identified the victim as Erin Piacenti, 32, of Chester, New Jersey. Piacenti worked as a vice president at Bank of America in Manhattan. She was taken to Bellevue Hospital after being stabbed in the abdomen and later died from her injuries.
Bank of America said it was shocked and deeply saddened by Piacenti’s death, describing her as a valued colleague and extending condolences to her family and loved ones.
The attack happened shortly before 4:30 p.m. near West 41st Street and Seventh Avenue in Times Square.
Police identified the attacker as Pamela Cisneros, 49, of Queens. NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch said Cisneros was carrying two large kitchen knives in a shopping bag when she attacked two people within seconds of each other.
Police said Cisneros first stabbed a 68-year-old man who had just exited a subway station and was standing with his wife. He suffered a stab wound to the abdomen and was hospitalized in stable condition.
About 20 seconds later, Cisneros allegedly approached Piacenti and stabbed her in the abdomen. Investigators have described the attacks as random and unprovoked.
Officers later confronted Cisneros several blocks away as she stood in Times Square holding both knives.
Tisch said officers spent about four minutes ordering Cisneros to drop the weapons. She refused and threatened the responding officers.
Police then deployed a Taser, but it failed to stop her. Authorities said Cisneros continued advancing toward officers while armed with the knives.
Two NYPD officers then opened fire, striking her. Officers immediately provided medical aid before she was transported to a hospital, where she was pronounced dead.
“This was an extraordinarily dangerous situation unfolding in the heart of Times Square,” Tisch said, noting that large numbers of pedestrians were nearby when officers confronted the armed woman.
Police said Cisneros had a documented history of mental health-related encounters with the NYPD but had no prior arrest history with the department.
Authorities have not identified a motive for the attack. Investigators have so far found no indication that the stabbing was connected to terrorism.
Piacenti was a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania and later attended Fordham University School of Law. She worked in Bank of America’s business selection and conflicts operation in Manhattan.
Her death prompted condolences from Bank of America and city officials.
Mayor Zohran Mamdani praised the officers who responded, saying their actions prevented the attack from becoming even more deadly. He also expressed condolences to Piacenti’s family and the other people affected by the violence.
The attack unfolded near One Times Square, the landmark building best known as the site of New York City’s annual New Year’s Eve ball drop. The heavily traveled area attracts millions of visitors and maintains a significant police presence.
The NYPD temporarily restricted access to portions of the surrounding streets while investigators processed the scene.
The NYPD Force Investigation Division is investigating the police shooting, while detectives continue examining the circumstances that led to the stabbing attack.
