Published September 1st, 2026 - 16:25 GMT
Highlights
Piacenti, who lived in Chester, New Jersey, had recently celebrated her second wedding anniversary with her husband, Frank, on August 10. She graduated from the University of Pennsylvania in 2016
ALBAWABA- Erin Piacenti, a 32-year-old vice president at Bank of America, was fatally stabbed in what police described as a random and unprovoked attack in New York’s Times Square on Monday afternoon. The attack occurred near West 42nd Street and Seventh Avenue, one of the city’s busiest and most heavily visited areas.According to the New York Police Department, the suspect, Pamela Cisneros, 49, of Queens, first stabbed a 68-year-old man from Rhode Island in the abdomen as he stood with his wife after leaving a subway station. About 20 seconds later, Cisneros approached Piacenti and stabbed her in the abdomen.NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch said the two victims appeared to have been targeted at random, with no known connection between them and the suspect. Authorities also said there was no indication that the attacks were terrorism-related.Police officers responding to reports of a disorderly person confronted Cisneros, who was carrying two large knives. Officers repeatedly ordered her to drop the weapons, but she refused and allegedly threatened to kill them while advancing toward them.After Tasers failed to stop her, two officers fired their service weapons, fatally wounding Cisneros. She was pronounced dead at a hospital. Piacenti was also taken to a hospital, where she later died from her injuries. The 68-year-old man was hospitalized in stable condition.Cisneros had a documented history of mental health problems and previous encounters with police in 2018 and 2019. Video footage shared on social media showed parts of the chaotic incident as emergency responders secured the area.Bank of America expressed shock and sadness over Piacenti’s death, describing her as a valued colleague and extending condolences to her family and loved ones. She worked as vice president of Business Selection and Conflicts at the bank’s New York operations.Piacenti, who lived in Chester, New Jersey, had recently celebrated her second wedding anniversary with her husband, Frank, on August 10. She graduated from the University of Pennsylvania in 2016 and earned her law degree from Fordham Law School in 2021 before building a career in the financial sector.
