Bank of America VP Killed in Times Square Stabbing

Bank of America Vice President Erin Piacenti was killed Monday afternoon after a woman stabbed her and another person in Times Square, New York City, police said.

The attack happened around 4:24 p.m. August 31 near West 42nd Street and Seventh Avenue, one of Manhattan’s busiest areas. Police said the attacker, identified as 49-year-old Pamela Cisneros of Queens, carried two knives and attacked the victims in what investigators described as a random and unprovoked incident.

The Times Square Attack

According to police, Cisneros first approached a 68-year-old man after he exited a subway station. She allegedly stabbed him in the abdomen before moving toward Piacenti.

Piacenti, 32, was also stabbed in the abdomen. The two attacks occurred within roughly 20 seconds of each other, according to investigators.

Both victims were taken to Bellevue Hospital. Piacenti died from her injuries, while the 68-year-old man was hospitalized in stable condition. ABC7 New York later reported that the man was released from the hospital.

For additional reporting on the investigation and the victims, see CBS New York's report on the Times Square stabbing.

Police Confront Suspect

After the stabbings, Cisneros continued toward the area near an NYPD substation while still carrying the knives.

Officers confronted her and ordered her to drop the weapons. Police said officers attempted to stop her with Tasers, but the efforts were unsuccessful.

According to the NYPD, Cisneros then advanced toward officers while still armed. Two officers opened fire, striking her. She was taken to a hospital and later pronounced dead.

The NYPD Force Investigation Division is reviewing the police shooting. Authorities said the attack does not appear to have been terrorism-related.

Who Was Erin Piacenti?

Piacenti was a 32-year-old resident of Chester, New Jersey, and worked as a vice president at Bank of America.

She worked in the bank’s Business Selection and Conflicts unit. Bank of America confirmed her death and said the company was shocked and deeply saddened by the loss of its colleague.

Piacenti was a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania and earned her law degree from Fordham Law School in 2021. Fordham Law also expressed condolences following her death.

The bank's Manhattan office is located at One Bryant Park, close to Times Square.

What Happens Next

The NYPD investigation remains active. Detectives are continuing to examine the circumstances surrounding the two stabbings and the subsequent police-involved shooting.

Police have said the attack appeared to be random and unprovoked. Investigators have also noted that Cisneros had a documented history of mental-health-related encounters with police, although reports indicate she had no prior criminal arrest history.

Authorities are also reviewing the actions of the officers involved as part of the standard investigation into the police shooting.

The death of Piacenti has drawn attention because the attack occurred in the middle of Times Square during a busy afternoon, just blocks from her workplace.