Bank of America vice president Erin Piacenti killed in 'random stabbing' at Times Square; what we know so far about attack
PTC News Desk: In a tragic incident, vice president of Bank of America Erin Piacenti was killed in what investigators describe as 'random' stabbing incident at New York City's Time Square in broad daylight.
The incident brought the streets of the area in Midtown Manhattan to a standstill as emergency vehicles swarmed between the skyscrapers.
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Who was Erin Piacenti
Erin Piacenti was a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania and worked as a vice president in Bank of America's business selection and conflicts unit, according to her LinkedIn profile.
She earned her law degree from Fordham Law School in 2021, graduating in the same year as her husband, Frank Piacenti. Fordham Law expressed deep sadness over her death.
Just four days before she was killed, Piacenti shared a photo of herself smiling while holding her infant and standing with her husband. She also wrote about how happy she was, according to The New York Times.
'Random and unprovoked' attack
Piacenti was fatally stabbed by a woman carrying a knife in a busy tourist and theatre area of New York City. Police later described the attack as "random and unprovoked."
A 68-year-old man was also injured in the incident. He was taken to a hospital, but there was no immediate update on his condition.
Police identified the attacker as 49-year-old Pamela Cisneros of Queens. Officers shot and killed her after the stabbing.
Police later said Cisneros was a mother of three who had a history of mental health issues. New York Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch said Cisneros had come into contact with police over mental health-related incidents in 2018 and 2019, but she had no arrest record in New York City.
Cisneros' brother, Patrick Peralta, told Gothamist that she had struggled with psychiatric problems for several decades but had never been aggressive.
According to Peralta, Cisneros was divorced and had been taking medication. Her condition had improved in recent years, and she had worked occasionally at a law office.
He said he last saw her at a family member's birthday gathering early last month. Cisneros did not attend family dinners the following week but told their mother over the phone on Saturday that she was fine.
- With inputs from agencies
