Woman Shot Dead by NYPD, After Stabbing Two and Killing One in Times Square Horror

A deranged woman waving two butcher knives was shot dead by the NYPD in Times Square after stabbing two people, killing one, and then refusing to drop the weapons when confronted by cops.

A 32-year-old woman who was fatally stabbed was identified as Erin Piacenti of Chester, NJ., a vice president of business selection and conflicts ⁠at Bank of America. “We are shocked and deeply saddened by the tragic loss of our colleague,” said Bank of America in a statement released to the press. “She was a valued teammate who will ‌be greatly missed. Our hearts ⁠go out to ⁠her family and all of her loved ones.”

The suspect behind the mayhem was identified as Pamela Cisneros, a Queens resident. She was pronounced dead after being transported to a Bellevue hospital in a horror that unfolded shortly before 4:30 p.m. on Aug. 31. Family members told the Daily News that she was a mother of three who had suffered with mental problems for decades and had previously attempted suicide. But her brother Patrick Peralta said despite her mental struggles he had never heard of her trying to harm others prior to the rampage on Aug. 31. “I can’t tell you what she was thinking or if she just completely went blank,” he told the News. “I don’t know where that rage came from.”

Cinceros had left a long winded screed on Facebook the News reported in which she warned that the she “was called upon the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob for this moment and time to inform you that the end times are here.” Be kindly advised that the Lord would not leave me in ease until I posted this message which can attest to amount of love God has for all of us.”

New York State Attorney General Letitia James said she was launching and investigation into the shooting death of Cisneros as is standard whenever a police officer’s shooting causes a death.

The rampage lasted only minutes. The first victim, a 68-year-old man had exited the 42nd Street subway with his wife when the suspect pulled the two long knives from her bag and stabbed him repeatedly in the abdomen. He was rushed to a Bellevue Hospital with life threatening injures but has since been listed in stable condition, cops said.

Within 20 seconds, the suspect went up Seventh Avenue toward 42nd Street and then stabbed a 32-year-old woman repeatedly in the abdomen. She was also rushed to a Bellevue Hospital but died of her wounds. She was identified as Erin Piacenti of Chester, NJ.

The suspect then ran toward the NYPD substation at One Times Square where bystanders alerted police to the unfolding carnage.

Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch said police gave the suspect numerous commands to drop the knives, which she refused and fired two tasers at the suspect which did not seem to have any effect.

“During the encounter, she told officers ‘I’m not dropping anything. I would rather kill both of you,” according to Tisch. “I will kill you,” she said, according to Tisch.

She said the attack appeared to be a “random and unprovoked attack.”

Times Square was packed with tourists and commuters enjoining the late summer weather when the chaos erupted. “This was an extraordinarily dangerous situation unfolding in the heart of Times Square, the crossroads of the world,” Tisch said.

Tisch said the suspect had a “documented mental health history with the NYPD” including incidents in 2018 and 2019 but no known arrests. While violent crime is down across the city this year, it is the second fatal stabbing in Times Square this year. A 39-year-old man was fatally stabbed in May in front of 132 W. 43rd St. by a group of three men, who fled the scene.

Times Square was temporarily closed following the latest fatal attack but had reopened later on August 31.