A knife-wielding woman stabbed and killed one person and injured another in New York’s busy Times Square on Monday before police shot her dead.
New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani confirmed the deaths during a press conference. He said the second victim remained in stable condition at a hospital. Police identified the attacker as 49-year-old Queens resident Pamela Cisneros. Authorities said she had known mental health issues.
According to New York Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch, Cisneros pulled two large knives from a bag while threatening people in the area. She then approached a 68-year-old man and stabbed him in the abdomen.
Around 20 seconds later, she attacked a 32-year-old woman and stabbed her in the abdomen. The woman later died from her injuries.
Authorities have not released the victims’ names. Officials said they were waiting to notify their families.
Police Confront Armed Woman
Officers quickly responded to the incident and attempted to convince Cisneros to drop the knives. Tisch said officers spoke with her for about four minutes and repeatedly ordered her to put down the weapons.
However, she refused to comply. According to Tisch, Cisneros told officers she would rather kill them than surrender the knives.
A witness told local television outlet PIX11 that the woman held two knives before police used a stun gun against her. The witness said she then moved towards officers, who fired their weapons.
Police confirmed that officers first used a stun gun but failed to stop her. They then fired their handguns, striking Cisneros twice.
Local media reported that Cisneros later died at a hospital.
Attack Not Considered Terror-Related
Police said they do not believe the incident was connected to terrorism. The attack occurred in one of New York’s busiest tourist destinations during the daytime.
Tisch described the situation as extremely dangerous because Times Square attracts thousands of residents, commuters, tourists and workers each day.
An AFP journalist at the scene reported a heavy emergency services presence. Officials were also seen examining an area where blood was visible.
Authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the stabbing and the events that led to the police shooting.
