Victims, suspect identified in deadly Times Square stabbings, shooting
A 39-year-old woman was shot and killed by police after a random stabbing attack in Times Square that left one woman dead and a 68-year-old man injured. The suspect refused to drop her weapons despite repeated commands from officers.
Why it matters
This incident highlights ongoing public safety concerns in high-traffic urban areas and the use of force by law enforcement in crisis situations.
MIDTOWN (WABC) -- The victims stabbed and the suspect who was shot by police in Times Square on Monday have been identified.
Police say 32-year-old Erin Piacenti died at the hospital. The other victim, a 68-year-old man, was hospitalized at Bellevue, but was released late Tuesday afternoon.
The NYPD said they were stabbed in a "random and unprovoked" attack by 39-year-old Pamela Cisneros of Queens.
According to investigators, Cisneros was threatening people with two knives near West 42nd Street and Seventh Avenue around 4:26 p.m. on Monday and stabbed the male victim and Piacenti.
Cisneros refused to drop the knives when officers approached, according to police.
Officers fired, striking her, police said.
Two knives were recovered from the scene, according to NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch. The NYPD also released a photo of the recovered weapons.
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