One of two people stabbed in New York’s Times Square has been identified as Bank of America executive Erin Piacenti, according to reports. Police said the alleged attacker was later shot by officers and died after being taken to hospital.
A Bank of America executive has died after a stabbing attack in New York’s Times Square, authorities and local media reports said.
The victim was identified as Erin Piacenti, 32, of Chester, New Jersey, according to The New York Post. Piacenti worked at Bank of America’s New York City office as Vice President of Business Selection and Conflicts, the report said.
She was among two people stabbed during the incident on Monday afternoon in one of New York City’s busiest tourist areas.
Piacenti Died After Being Stabbed, Reports Say
According to reports, Piacenti was stabbed in the abdomen during the attack and was taken for medical treatment. She later died from her injuries.
Publicly available professional information cited in reports said Piacenti graduated from the University of Pennsylvania in 2016 and later received her law degree from Fordham Law School in 2021.
Her death has drawn attention because of the apparent randomness of the attack in the heart of Times Square.
Police Say Two People Were Stabbed
New York Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch said a 68-year-old man was the first person attacked.
According to Tisch, the alleged attacker then approached Piacenti approximately 20 seconds later and stabbed her as well.
“She then 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,” Tisch said.
The 68-year-old victim was taken to hospital for treatment, according to police information cited in local reports.
Police Identify Alleged Attacker
Authorities identified the alleged attacker as Pamela Cisneros, 49, of Queens.
According to Tisch, Cisneros had two large knives and was threatening people in the Times Square area.
Police officers responded to the scene and attempted to persuade her to drop the weapons, Tisch said.
“The officers engaged the woman in dialogue for four minutes and gave her numerous commands to drop the knives, which she refused,” the police commissioner said.
According to Tisch, the woman allegedly told responding officers:
“I’m not dropping anything. I would rather kill both of you.”
Officers Fired After Attempt to Use Stun Gun, Police Say
Police said officers initially attempted to subdue Cisneros using a stun gun, but the attempt was unsuccessful.
A witness told local television station PIX11 that the woman was carrying two knives and was initially tased before allegedly moving toward police officers.
The witness said officers subsequently fired their weapons.
“They shot her twice,” the witness told the television station.
Police said officers fired their handguns after the earlier attempt to use a stun gun did not succeed.
Cisneros was taken to a hospital, where she was later pronounced dead, according to local reports.
Police Say Attack Was Not Believed to Be Terror-Related
Authorities said they did not believe the stabbing was related to terrorism.
“This was an extraordinarily dangerous situation unfolding in the heart of Times Square, the crossroads of the world,” Tisch said.
The investigation remains focused on establishing the full sequence of events surrounding the attack.
Investigation Continues
Police continue to investigate the incident and the circumstances that led to the two stabbings and the subsequent police shooting.
The case has renewed attention on public safety in crowded areas of New York City, particularly in Times Square, which attracts millions of visitors and commuters.
At this stage, the account of the incident is based on information released by police and reports from local media. Further details may emerge as investigators complete their work and authorities release additional verified information.
