Woman killed in Times Square stabbing spree identified as 32-year-old from New Jersey

A 32-year-old Bank of America vice president was killed Monday afternoon after authorities say an emotionally disturbed woman started stabbing people in the heart of Times Square.

Erin Piacenti, from Chester, New Jersey, was stabbed in the abdomen, according to the New York Police Department.

She was pronounced dead at a hospital a short time after the attack in the tourist-heavy area near 41st Street and Seventh Avenue.

Bank of America confirmed Piacenti was a vice president within Business Selection and Conflicts in Global Corporate and Investment Banking.

“We are shocked and deeply saddened by the tragic loss of our colleague. She was a valued teammate who will be greatly missed,” the bank said in a statement. “Our hearts go out to her family and all of her loved ones.”

Fordham University confirmed to NBC News that Piacenti and her husband, Frank, graduated from the school’s law school in 2021.

“During this devastating time, our thoughts, prayers, and deepest sympathies are with Frank, their families, and all who knew and loved Erin,” a university spokesperson added.

Piacenti’s husband did not immediately respond to NBC News’ request for comment.

Her cousin, Katie Guiltinan, told NBC News on Tuesday that she hopes the attention is focused on Piacenti rather than the suspect.

“It’s unbelievable,” a tearful Guiltinan, 35, said. “She was wonderful.”

Police say Pamela Cisneros, the 49-year-old Queens woman shot dead by police after killing Piacenti and stabbing a 68-year-old man during the afternoon spree, had a documented history of mental health concerns.

A witness told police that Cisneros took out the knives from a red Target bag before approaching the couple. After waving the weapons around, the suspect stabbed the 68-year-old man, who had just come out of the subway with his wife, in his side.

She then went up a block and attacked Piacenti. The stabbings happened about 20 seconds apart.

They are believed to be random and unprovoked, with no apparent connection to organized terrorism, according to law enforcement sources. The male victim was taken to Bellevue Hospital, where police said Tuesday he is in stable condition.

“Tonight, our thoughts are, of course, with the victims of this horrific attack and their families. One life cut far too short by a senseless act of violence,” said Tisch.

Following the two stabbings, Cisneros continued up Seventh Avenue, where she encountered police between 42nd and 43rd streets, police said. She was still armed with both knives at that time.

Officers spoke to her for four minutes, telling her to drop the knives, but she refused, police said.

The responding officers fired stun guns at her, which did not appear to be effective, police said. Cisneros then advanced toward the officers, two of whom opened fire at her. She was taken to the hospital, where she died.

The NYPD had a documented history of mental health concerns regarding Cisneros dating back to 2018 and 2019, but she had no criminal history, Tisch said. Both knives allegedly used by the suspect were recovered at the scene.