A woman hailing from New Jersey has been recognized as the victim of a knife assault in Times Square, occurring just moments prior to a fatal police shooting on Monday.
Times Square stabbing: NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch and New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani arrive for a press conference at the scene of an officer-involved shooting, in Times Square, New York City, U.S. August 31, 2026. REUTERS/Brendan McDermid (REUTERS)
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According to NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch, two knives were found at the scene after a "random and unprovoked" attack.
Who was Erin Piacenti?
Erin Piacenti, 32 and residing in Chester, New Jersey, lost her life after being stabbed by 49-year-old Pamela Cisneros, according to authorities. Piacenti's husband, a 68-year-old man who was also attacked by Cisneros, is expected to recover, as per the police.
Deep Dive
What led to the stabbing incident involving Erin Piacenti in Times Square?
The stabbing incident involving Erin Piacenti was a random and unprovoked attack by Pamela Cisneros, who used two knives pulled from a shopping bag to stab both Piacenti and her husband.
Why was Pamela Cisneros shot by police after the stabbings?
Pamela Cisneros was shot by police after she charged at officers while wielding knives, despite attempts by officers to subdue her using a taser during a four-minute standoff.
What background information is known about the suspect, Pamela Cisneros?
Pamela Cisneros had a documented history of mental health issues and previous interactions with the NYPD in 2018 and 2019, but she had no prior arrests.
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Authorities had earlier disclosed that Cisneros, a resident of Queens, retrieved two knives from a Target bag and proceeded to stab two victims in an unprovoked assault at the intersection of 41st Street and Seventh Avenue at approximately 4:30 p.m. on Monday. According to officials, Piacenti was stabbed in the abdomen mere seconds after the 68-year-old was assaulted.
Witnesses report that Cisneros was heard shouting, "I’m over this, I’m over this," just moments prior to the attack, according to ABC7 News.
Law enforcement officials stated that officers engaged in conversation with Cisneros for four minutes while she remained armed before deploying a taser. Despite being tased, Cisneros allegedly charged at the officers wielding knives, as reported by both authorities and witnesses present at the scene.
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This prompted the police to draw their firearms and shoot her, according to official reports. She was subsequently declared dead at the hospital.
Cisneros faced mental health issues
Authorities stated that Cisneros had a background of mental illness and had previous documented interactions with the NYPD in 2018 and 2019.
"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,'" NYPD Commissioner Tisch said.
Meanwhile, Clyde Benjamin, a worker at Times Square, said: "I knew it was mental health issues. That's a big epidemic out here, bro. We gotta get that under control," as per ABC7 News.
The NYPD is set to carry out an internal investigation, and the body-worn camera footage will be made available to the public, as stated by Mayor Zohran Mamdani.
Shweta Kukreti has over 8 years of experience in covering Indian and world politics. She joined the Hindustan Times in 2024 and is primarily assigned to the US desk. She currently works as Deputy Chief Content Producer and reports on a wide range of topics, including US politics, immigration issues (especially H-1B visa) and major global events. Shweta strongly emphasizes team operations, which encompasses monitoring news, delegating tasks, editing, developing comprehensive coverage strategies, and crafting engaging, and data-informed narratives. She received the Digi Star Award at the Hindustan Times within a year of joining for her broad coverage of US politics. In 2025, she earned both a promotion and a redesignation, a significant achievement recognising her contributions and the strong value she brings to the team. She has previously worked with the Indian Express, HTDS, ANI and Republic World. Seniors in all the media organisations recognised her work. Regarding education, she earned a BA (Hons.) in Political Science and a master's degree from Delhi University, and she pursued a PG Diploma in English Journalism from the Indian Institution of Mass Communication (IIMC). She also holds a diploma in Women's Empowerment and Development from IGNOU University and a French certification course from Alliance Française de Delhi. If not working, you can find her exploring the hills and engaging in adventurous activities in Rishikesh and Himachal Pradesh. She loves to play badminton, volleyball, and chess, and spend time with her friends and family. She also enjoys spiritual activities.
Stay updated with US News covering politics, crime, weather, local events, and sports highlights. Get the latest on Donald Trump and American politics along with Horoscope 2026.
Stay updated with US News covering politics, crime, weather, local events, and sports highlights. Get the latest on Donald Trump and American politics along with Horoscope 2026.
Home/World News/Us News/Who was Erin Piacenti? Times Square stabbing victims identified as New Jersey couple - one dead, another hospitalised
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