NEW YORK, NY – A Bank of America vice president has been officially confirmed as the woman killed in Monday’s stabbing attack in Times Square, according to the New York Police Department and the bank itself. Erin Piacenti, 32, of Chester, New Jersey, died at Bellevue Hospital after being stabbed in the abdomen during what police described as a random and unprovoked assault near West 42nd Street and Seventh Avenue.

What happened in Times Square?

Authorities say the attack unfolded around 4:24 p.m. Monday when a woman later identified as 49 year old Pamela Cisneros pulled two knives from a Target shopping bag and began attacking strangers without warning. Police say Cisneros first stabbed a 68 year old man from Rhode Island, who had just exited the subway with his wife after visiting family in Brooklyn, before turning north on Seventh Avenue and stabbing Piacenti near 42nd Street. Investigators say there was no prior contact or dispute between Cisneros and either victim.

What have authorities said about the attack?

NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch addressed the incident directly at a press briefing, calling it a senseless and unprovoked act of violence. “Our officers were confronted with a rapidly evolving threat, with countless innocent people around them,” Tisch said. “In that moment, they did what we train them to do.” Tisch added that Cisneros had no criminal record but had a documented history of mental health episodes and prior police interactions. Mayor Zohran Mamdani also addressed the attack publicly, confirming that the suspect carried multiple large knives before officers intervened.

How did officers respond, and was the suspect stopped?

Witnesses flagged down responding officers, who spent roughly four minutes attempting to get Cisneros to drop the weapons. Police say she refused repeated commands and threatened officers directly, telling them she would rather kill them than surrender. Officers deployed tasers, which were reportedly ineffective, before two officers opened fire as Cisneros advanced toward them. She was pronounced dead at the scene. The NYPD’s Force Investigation Division, which reviews police use of force incidents, is continuing to examine the shooting.

What has Bank of America said about Piacenti’s death?

Bank of America confirmed Piacenti’s identity and role as vice president of business selection and conflicts, a position she held roughly a block from where the attack occurred. The bank expressed shock and sorrow over the loss of a valued colleague and extended condolences to her family and loved ones. According to her LinkedIn profile, Piacenti graduated from the University of Pennsylvania in 2016 and earned her law degree from Fordham Law School in 2021 before joining the firm.

The 68 year old man stabbed alongside Piacenti remains hospitalized in stable condition, according to police, who said he is expected to survive his injuries. The attack marks the second high profile act of violence targeting a financial sector professional in Manhattan within roughly a year, following the fatal shooting of a Blackstone executive in a midtown office lobby last summer.

This story is ongoing. FOU News will continue to follow developments as authorities and the courts release new information.