Bank of America vice president killed in random Times Square stabbing

Crime Diary, North America

NEW YORK, United States (NPA) — Investigators have described the fatal stabbing of Bank of America Vice President Erin Piacenti in New York City’s Times Square as a random and unprovoked attack.

Piacenti, 32, was fatally stabbed on Monday afternoon near West 42nd Street and Seventh Avenue, one of the busiest areas of Manhattan.

A 68-year-old man was also stabbed during the attack and was reported to be in stable condition.

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New York Police Department Commissioner Jessica Tisch said the suspected attacker, Pamela Cisneros, 49, armed herself with two large knives before attacking the victims.

According to investigators, the attack occurred at about 4:24 p.m. and appeared to have been random, with no indication that Piacenti or the other victim had any prior relationship with the suspect.

Police officers responding to the incident confronted Cisneros and ordered her to drop the knives.

Tisch said officers initially attempted to use a Taser to subdue the suspect, but the less-lethal intervention failed to stop her.

The suspect reportedly continued advancing towards the officers while still armed with the knives, prompting police to open fire.

Cisneros was taken to hospital, where she was later pronounced dead. 

Authorities said Cisneros had a documented history of mental health-related encounters with the NYPD but had no known arrest record in New York City.

Piacenti, who worked as a Vice President in Bank of America’s Business Selection and Conflicts unit, was rushed to hospital following the attack but later died from her injuries.

Bank of America confirmed the death of its employee and described her as a valued member of its team.

“We are shocked and deeply saddened by the tragic loss of our colleague,” the bank said in a statement.

“She was a valued teammate who will be greatly missed. Our hearts go out to her family and all of her loved ones.”

Matthew Koder, President of Global Corporate and Investment Banking at Bank of America, also described Piacenti as a “cherished teammate and friend” in an internal message to staff.

He said the bank’s security teams were working closely with investigators while also addressing the safety and security of its employees and offices.

The incident caused major disruption in Times Square, one of New York City’s busiest commercial and tourist centres, as police cordoned off parts of the area during the investigation.

Authorities have not indicated that the attack was connected to terrorism.

The NYPD’s Force Investigation Division is continuing its investigation into the police shooting that resulted in the death of the suspected attacker.