The 32-year-old woman died in a Monday Times Square stabbing that also injured a 68-year-old man
A Bank of America vice president was killed in a Times Square stabbing on Monday afternoon. Erin Piacenti, 32, died at the hospital from her injuries after a woman carrying multiple knives stabbed her and a 68-year-old man in New York City, according to multiple reports.
Piacenti worked as a vice president of business selection and conflicts at Bank of America and lived in New Jersey, according to CBS News. The bank confirmed her death in a statement to Reuters.
"We are shocked and deeply saddened by the tragic loss of our colleague. She was a valued teammate who will be greatly missed. Our hearts go out to her family and all of her loved ones," the bank said.
Officers open fire after Tasers fail to stop attacker
New York Police Department (NYPD) Commissioner Jessica Tisch said the attacker, later identified as Pamela Cisneros, 49, of New York, was fatally shot by responding officers after she advanced toward them with knives raised, ignoring repeated commands to drop the weapons.
Tisch said officers spent about four minutes trying to de-escalate the confrontation before resorting to force.
"During the encounter, she told the officers, 'I'm not dropping anything. I would rather kill both of you.' She repeated, 'I will kill you,'" Tisch said.
Multiple officers deployed Tasers, which failed to stop Cisneros, prompting two officers to open fire, according to CBS News. Cisneros was pronounced dead at the scene. The 68-year-old man she also stabbed remains in stable condition at a New York City hospital and had no prior connection to Cisneros, police said. He had been visiting his son in Brooklyn with his wife when the attack occurred.
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani said the attack, which was captured on police body cameras, appeared random and unprovoked. Footage of the incident is expected to be released at a later date, he said. Police also said Cisneros had a documented history of mental health-related incidents with the department dating back to 2018 and 2019, though she had no prior arrests, according to CBS News.
Reya Patel, who was near the scene, told CBS News the attack had unsettled the area.
"It was actually kind of scary because I go to school right here, so you know, seeing that you wouldn't think that would happen in the middle of Times Square," Patel said.
