Times Square Stabbing Leaves Woman Dead; NYPD Fatally Shoots Suspect
NEW YORK — A deadly stabbing in New York City’s Times Square left one woman dead and a man injured Monday afternoon.
Police later fatally shot the woman they said carried out the attacks.
The incident unfolded shortly before 4:30 p.m. near Seventh Avenue and West 41st Street. It happened close to an NYPD substation outside One Times Square.
The suspect was identified as 49-year-old Pamela Cisneros of Queens, according to NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch.
Police said Cisneros had two knives when she approached a 68-year-old man who had just left a subway station. The man was with his wife and waiting to cross the street.
Investigators said the man was attacked first. He was taken to Bellevue Hospital and was reported to be in stable condition.
Police said the woman then moved along Seventh Avenue and attacked a 32-year-old woman. The second victim was also taken to Bellevue Hospital.
She later died from her injuries, police said. Authorities have not publicly identified either victim pending notification of their families.
Police confront suspect near Times Square
After the attacks, officers located Cisneros between West 42nd and West 43rd streets, according to police.
Tisch said officers spent several minutes ordering her to put down the knives. Police said those efforts did not succeed.
Officers then used a Taser before two officers fired their guns, according to the NYPD. Cisneros was taken to Bellevue Hospital, where she later died.
The incident lasted about five minutes, with the two attacks occurring within roughly 20 seconds of each other, police said. Multiple officers responded to the scene.
Police describe attack as unprovoked
Authorities described the stabbings as random and unprovoked.
Police said there was no indication that the incident was connected to terrorism. The investigation remains ongoing.
Tisch also said Cisneros had no known arrest history. However, police records showed previous interactions involving mental health concerns in 2018 and 2019.
Officials have not said whether the two victims were New York residents or visitors to the city.
Times Square briefly becomes a crime scene
The attack occurred in one of New York City’s busiest tourist areas.
One Times Square is known around the world as the site of the annual New Year’s Eve ball drop. The area is also heavily patrolled because of its large crowds and constant pedestrian traffic.
Videos shared on social media showed numerous police officers at the scene as investigators secured the area.
The NYPD said an internal investigation into the police shooting will take place. Officials also said body-camera footage is expected to be released.
The investigation into the stabbing and the police shooting remains active.
What happened in Times Square?
- A 49-year-old Queens woman was accused of attacking two people Monday afternoon.
- A 68-year-old man was injured and remained in stable condition.
- A 32-year-old woman died after being taken to the hospital.
- Police later fatally shot the suspect.
- Authorities described the attacks as random and unprovoked.
- Police said there was no evidence indicating a terrorism connection.
- An internal investigation into the police shooting is underway.