Victim in Times Square stabbing and shooting identified as Bank of America employee
The person who died after being stabbed by a woman Monday afternoon in Times Square was identified as a New Jersey woman who worked for Bank of America.
Erin Piacenti, 32, was stabbed in the abdomen after Pamela Cisneros, 49, pulled out two knives and randomly attacked Piacenti and a 68-year-old man, police said.
The NYPD said responding officers were forced to shoot and kill Cisneros when she advanced towards them with the knives.
Officers spoke with Cisneros for about four minutes, ordering her to drop the weapons, but she refused and allegedly threatened their lives.
"During the encounter, she told the officers, 'I'm not dropping anything. I would rather kill both of you.' She repeated, 'I will kill you,'" said Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch on Monday.
Multiple officers deployed their tasers, but police say they were ineffective. That is when two officers fired their weapons, killing Cisneros.
Bank of America spokesperson John Yiannacopoulos released a statement about 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," it read.
The man who was stabbed remains stable in the hospital, officers said. Police sources said he was with his wife and had been visiting their son who lives in Brooklyn.
The two were on their way back home when the attack happened. Sources said he had no connection to Cisneros and there wasn't a prior altercation before the attack.
On Tuesday morning, tourists and locals in Times Square were unnerved, learning about the violent encounter that unfolded.
"It was actually kind of scary because I go to school right here, so you know, seeing that you wouldn't think that would happen in the middle of Times Square," said Reya Patel.
Police said Cisneros had a documented mental health history with the NYPD, with incidents in 2018 and 2019, but no arrests.
Mayor Zohran Mamdani said the shooting was captured on police body cameras, which will be released at a later date.
