She stabs and kills two people in Times Square, then gets herself killed. Victims include Erin Piacenti, vice president of Bank of America.

A woman stabbed two people in Times Square before being shot dead by police, according to reports. Among the victims was Erin Piacenti, 32, a vice president at Bank of America who died later in hospital. The incident occurred around 4:30 pm local time on Monday in one of the busiest areas of New York City. According to authorities, the attacker, identified as Pamela Cisneros, initially stabbed a 68-year-old man as he exited the subway with his wife. Twenty seconds later, she struck another victim in the stomach. That person, Piacenti, succumbed to her injuries shortly after arriving at the hospital, while the older man remained hospitalized in stable condition. The police responded quickly to the scene, attempting to subdue Cisneros using a taser, which failed. For four minutes, officers tried to convince her to drop the two knives she was holding. She refused, leading to a confrontation in which she reportedly told the officers, "I won't drop anything, I'd rather kill you both." At that point, the officers opened fire, killing Cisneros. She had been living in the Queens borough and had a documented history of mental health issues, according to the New York Police Department. Authorities had previously intervened with her in 2018 and 2019. New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani expressed gratitude toward the officers for preventing the situation from escalating further. He stated that the officers did exactly what they were trained to do. NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch described the attack as senseless and unprovoked, adding that it created a particularly dangerous situation in the heart of Times Square, often referred to as the crossroads of the world. Violence in Times Square is relatively rare, and in the Midtown South precinct, which includes the popular square, there has been a 5% decrease in assaults this year compared to 2025. However, there have been some high-profile incidents recently that did not result in fatalities. In April, a man wielding a machete injured three people at the Grand Central Terminal subway station. In June, another individual stabbed seven people at Penn Station, the busiest train station in America. Cisneros’s actions took place just days before Labor Day, a holiday that typically draws thousands of tourists to New York. The timing raised concerns among officials and residents alike. Video footage captured by bystanders showed Cisneros waving her knives at the police during the confrontation. These videos have since circulated online, offering a glimpse into the chaotic moments that unfolded in the crowded plaza. The incident has sparked discussions about public safety in one of the city's most iconic locations. While the NYPD emphasized that the attack was not classified as an act of terrorism, the proximity to major holidays and the location itself have prompted heightened security measures. Officials are reviewing protocols to ensure similar situations can be managed effectively in the future. The death of Erin Piacenti has drawn attention not only because of the tragic nature of her passing but also due to her prominent position within a major financial institution. Her role at Bank of America adds a layer of public interest to the case, as it underscores the potential impact such incidents can have on both individuals and organizations. Authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the attack, including whether Cisneros had any prior threats or warnings that could have indicated the likelihood of such violence. The NYPD has not ruled out the possibility of additional charges related to the incident, though the primary focus remains on understanding how the situation escalated so rapidly. The case highlights ongoing challenges faced by law enforcement in managing unpredictable acts of violence in densely populated urban environments. As investigations proceed, more details are expected to emerge regarding the motivations behind the attack and the steps taken by police to de-escalate the situation.