RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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One person was killed and another injured after a knife-wielding woman went on a stabbing spree in Times Square before she was shot and killed by police, according to law enforcement sources.
The suspect, who police described as emotionally disturbed, had two knives on her as she threatened people in the tourist-heavy area around 4 p.m. The suspect, later identified as Pamela Cisneros, went up to a man who had just exited the subway and was waiting with his wife to cross the street near 41st Street and Seventh Avenue, police said.
A witness told police Cisneros took out the knives from a red Target bag before approaching the couple. After waving the weapons around, the suspect stabbed a 68-year-old man in his side.
She then went up block up and approached a 32-year-old woman before stabbing her in the stomach, according to NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch. The woman was rushed to the hospital, where she died.
“This was an extraordinarily dangerous situation unfolding in the heart of Times Square, the crossroads of the world,” Tisch said.
The first victim was taken to Bellevue Hospital, where police said he was recovering. The stabbings took place about 20 seconds apart.
Tisch said the stabbings appeared to be random and unprovoked. The attacks did not appear to be terror-related, according to sources.
Police had not yet shared the victims’ names.
“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, according to Tisch. 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, said Tisch. While talking to officers, the suspect said “I’m not dropping anything. I would rather kill both of you,” and repeatedly threatened to kill the officers.
The responding officers fired stun guns at her, which did not appear to be effective, police said. Cisneros then advanced toward 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.
The NYPD closed off the area from 42nd Street and Seventh Avenue up to 47th Street during their investigation and warned to expect delays in the surrounding blocks.
Both knives allegedly used by the suspect were recovered at the scene.
An investigation is ongoing.
“We know that those families’ lives have been shattered by what took place today, and we will continue to hold them close as the hours and days and weeks continue from this moment,” said Mayor Zohran Mamdani.
Violent crime has fallen sharply in New York City so far this year, with homicides down 24% and on pace to potentially hit their lowest level in decades. But this is the second killing this year in Times Square. A man was fatally stabbed in the same area in May.
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