32-Year-Old Bank Executive Killed in Random Times Square Stabbing Attack by Queens Woman Later Shot by Police

NEW YORK, NY – A Queens woman armed with two large knives stabbed two people in a random attack in New York City’s Times Square Monday afternoon, killing a 32-year-old Bank of America vice president before police fatally shot the attacker, authorities said.

The woman killed was identified as Erin Piacenti, 32, of Chester, New Jersey. Piacenti was a vice president at Bank of America and worked near the area where the attack occurred.

The suspect was identified by police as Pamela Cisneros of Queens.

The violence unfolded shortly before 4:30 p.m. Monday, August 31, near Seventh Avenue and West 42nd Street, one of the busiest pedestrian areas in Manhattan.

According to NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch, Cisneros first approached a 68-year-old man who had exited the subway and was waiting to cross the street with his wife. Police said Cisneros removed two knives from a shopping bag and stabbed the man in the abdomen in what investigators described as a random and unprovoked attack.

Cisneros then continued north along Seventh Avenue and approached Piacenti, stabbing her in the abdomen as well. Police said the two attacks occurred within approximately 20 seconds of one another.

Both victims were transported to Bellevue Hospital. Piacenti was later pronounced dead. The 68-year-old man survived and was reported in stable condition.

Witnesses alerted nearby NYPD officers, who confronted Cisneros as she continued through Times Square carrying the knives.

Police said officers repeatedly ordered her to drop the weapons during an encounter that lasted approximately four minutes. Officers deployed Tasers in an attempt to subdue her, but the devices were unsuccessful.

According to Tisch, Cisneros threatened the officers and continued advancing toward them while armed. Two officers then opened fire, striking her. She was taken to Bellevue Hospital, where she was pronounced dead.

Police recovered both knives at the scene.

Authorities said Cisneros had a documented history of mental health-related encounters with the NYPD but did not have an arrest history. Investigators have found no indication that the attack was terrorism-related.

Bank of America confirmed Piacenti’s death and described her as a valued colleague.

“We are shocked and deeply saddened by the tragic loss of our colleague,” the company said in a statement reported by Reuters. “She was a valued teammate who will be greatly missed.”

Piacenti was an attorney as well as a Bank of America vice president. She had graduated from the University of Pennsylvania and later earned her law degree from Fordham University School of Law.

The NYPD’s Force Investigation Division is investigating the police shooting, and Mayor Zohran Mamdani said body-camera footage from the confrontation will be released.

Key Facts & Details

The attack brought a sudden burst of violence to the heart of Midtown Manhattan during the afternoon rush, with the alleged attacker traveling into Times Square from Queens, the westernmost borough geographically located on Long Island.