Bank of America vice president fatally stabbed in Times Square; suspect killed by police
A Bank of America vice president was killed and another person injured in a knife attack in Manhattan, after which police shot the suspect dead.
A 41-year-old woman identified as Pamela Cisneros attacked two people with knives in Times Square on Monday afternoon. She first stabbed a 68-year-old tourist from Rhode Island near West 41st Street, leaving the man hospitalized in stable condition. About 20 seconds later she moved north on Seventh Avenue and stabbed Erin Piacenti, a vice president of business selection and conflicts at Bank of America, in the abdomen. Piacenti later died at a hospital, the New York City Police Department said.
Police officers who responded engaged Cisneros between West 42nd and 43rd streets. After a four-minute attempt to persuade her to drop the weapons failed, officers used Tasers, which proved ineffective, and then fired their weapons, striking her. She was taken to Bellevue Hospital, where she died.
"I’m not dropping anything. I would rather kill both of you," Cisrose told the officers, according to Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch.
The NYPD noted that Cisneros had no prior arrest record but had two earlier encounters related to mental illness in 2018 and 2019. Investigators said there was no evidence the attack was terrorism-related. A Bank of America spokesperson expressed condolences, describing Piacenti as a valued teammate.
The incident occurred near the bank’s Manhattan headquarters at One Bryant Park. While overall major crime in New York City has declined for four consecutive years, felony assaults have risen for six straight years.