Erin Piacenti, a 32-year-old Bank of America vice president from Chester, New Jersey, was fatally stabbed in Times Square on Monday afternoon in an attack police said appeared random and unprovoked.
Piacenti was stabbed in the abdomen near West 41st Street and Seventh Avenue around 4:24 p.m. on Monday. She died at Bellevue Hospital from her injuries.
Police said Pamela Cisneros, 49, of Queens, carried two knives in a Target bag and attacked Piacenti and a 68-year-old man. The two victims were stabbed within 20 seconds of each other.
The 68-year-old man was hospitalised in stable condition. Police have not said whether Cisneros knew either victim, or what led her to carry knives to Times Square.
Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch said officers spent about four minutes trying to persuade Cisneros to drop the knives. Cisneros told officers, 'I'm not dropping anything. I would rather kill both of you.'
Officers tried to use a Taser, which failed to stop Cisneros, police said. Two officers then opened fire as she advanced towards them with knives. Cisneros was pronounced dead at the hospital.
Piacenti worked in business selection and conflicts at Bank of America. She graduated from the University of Pennsylvania in 2016 and from Fordham Law School in 2021.
Bank of America said: '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.'
Bloomberg News first reported Piacenti's identity on Tuesday.
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