NEW YORK: A Bank of America vice president was fatally stabbed near Times Square on Monday before police shot and killed the suspected attacker, US media reported and the bank confirmed.
The victim, identified as 32-year-old Erin Piacenti, died after the knife attack near West 42nd Street and Seventh Avenue. An elderly man also suffered injuries during the incident.
Bank of America said it was shocked and deeply saddened by Piacenti’s death, describing her as a valued colleague who would be greatly missed.
Police Say Suspect Refused Orders to Drop Knives
New York police identified the alleged attacker as 49-year-old Pamela Cisneros of Queens.
NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch said officers confronted Cisneros after the stabbing and spent about four minutes trying to persuade her to drop the knives.
However, Cisneros allegedly refused repeated commands and threatened the officers, according to Tisch.
The commissioner said Cisneros then waved the knives and moved towards police. Officers first deployed Tasers, but the devices did not stop her.
Consequently, two officers fired their service weapons and struck Cisneros.
Bodycam Footage Captured Police Confrontation
Tisch said officers’ body-worn cameras recorded the shooting and the confrontation that preceded it.
Emergency personnel transported Cisneros to Bellevue Hospital, where doctors pronounced her dead.
Meanwhile, police said Cisneros had a documented mental health history involving the NYPD, including incidents recorded in 2018 and 2019.
Authorities said she had no previous arrest history with the department.
The stabbing and subsequent police shooting occurred in one of Manhattan’s busiest tourist districts, drawing a significant police response.
Investigators are continuing to examine the circumstances surrounding the attack, including the sequence of events before officers confronted the suspect and the motive behind the stabbing.
