US News
Woman killed and bystander injured in Times Square stabbing before police shoot suspect
New York police fatally shot an armed assailant who killed a 32-year-old worker and wounded a 68-year-old man in an unprovoked attack.
The short version
- A 49-year-old woman fatally stabbed 32-year-old Erin Piacenti and wounded a 68-year-old man near Times Square on Monday.
- Responding officers attempted to use Tasers before fatally shooting the suspect when she advanced toward them holding knives.
- The NYPD characterized the attack as random and unprovoked, with no indications of terrorism.
- The department's Force Investigation Division is reviewing the fatal police shooting, and body-camera video is slated for public release.
Key facts
- The NYPD identified the victims as 32-year-old Erin Piacenti, who was fatally stabbed, and a 68-year-old man, who was hospitalized in stable condition.[Fox News]
- Authorities identified the attacker as 49-year-old Pamela Cisneros of Queens, who carried two large knives retrieved from a shopping bag.[Fox News]
- According to NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch, the two stabbings occurred roughly 20 seconds apart along Seventh Avenue near 41st and 42nd streets.[Fox News]
- Following a four-minute standoff where Tasers failed to incapacitate her, two officers fatally shot Cisneros as she advanced toward them waving weapons.[Fox News]
- Police stated Cisneros had no prior NYPD arrest history but had documented mental health-related encounters with officers in 2018 and 2019.[Fox News]
What remains uncertain
- The exact timeline for the public release of body-worn camera footage remains unspecified pending the NYPD Force Investigation Division's inquiry.[Fox News]