Authorities have released the identity of the woman killed when police say an emotionally disturbed woman started stabbing people in the heart of Times Square Monday afternoon.
Erin Piacenti, a 32-year-old from Chester, New Jersey, was stabbed in the abdomen. She was pronounced dead at a hospital a short time after the attack in the tourist-heavy area near 41st Street and Seventh Avenue.
More information on the victim is expected Tuesday.
Police say Pamela Cisneros, the 49-year-old Queens woman shot dead by police after killing Piacenti and stabbing a 68-year-old man during the afternoon spree, had a documented history of mental health concerns.
The 68-year-old had just come out of the subway with his wife.
A witness told police Cisneros took out the knives from a red Target bag before approaching the couple. After waving the weapons around, the suspect stabbed the 68-year-old man in his side.
She then went up a block and attacked Piacenti. The stabbings happened about 20 seconds apart.
They are believed to be random and unprovoked, with no apparent nexus to terror, according to law enforcement sources. The first victim was taken to Bellevue Hospital, where police said he was recovering.
“Tonight, our thoughts are, of course, with the victims of this horrific attack and their families. One life cut far too short by a senseless act of violence,” said Tisch.
Following the two stabbings, Cisneros continued up Seventh Avenue, where she encountered police between 42nd and 43rd streets, according to police said. She was still armed with both knives at that time.
Officers spoke to her 4 four minutes, telling her to drop the knives, but she refused, police said.
The responding officers fired stun guns at her, which did not appear to be effective, police said. Cisneros then advanced toward officers, two of whom opened fire at her. She was taken to the hospital, where she died.
The NYPD had a documented history of mental health concerns regarding Cisneros dating back to 2018 and 2019, but she had no criminal history. Both knives allegedly used by the suspect were recovered at the scene.
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