Authorities have identified the woman killed in a random knife attack in New York City’s Times Square as Erin Piacenti, a 32-year-old vice president at Bank of America.
The deadly incident unfolded in the heavily visited area near West 42nd Street and Seventh Avenue. According to police, a woman armed with two knives approached a 68-year-old man who had recently exited the subway and stabbed him in the side.
The attacker then continued through the area and stabbed Piacenti in the abdomen in what investigators described as an apparently random assault. Emergency personnel transported both victims to the hospital, but Piacenti later died from her injuries. The male victim was hospitalized for treatment.
Police officers responding to the scene attempted to stop the knife-wielding woman as she continued to pose a threat in the crowded tourist district. Authorities said officers initially tried to subdue her with a stun device before opening fire. The attacker was taken to a hospital, where she was pronounced dead.
Piacenti was a graduate of Fordham University School of Law and had reportedly worked at Bank of America for approximately 18 months. She specialized in matters related to business selection and conflicts and was remembered by colleagues as a respected professional with a promising career.
Bank of America expressed its condolences following confirmation of her death and said it was cooperating with law enforcement. Fordham Law School also mourned the loss of its former student and extended sympathy to her family, friends and colleagues.
Investigators said the suspected attacker had a documented history of mental-health difficulties and previous interactions with law enforcement. Authorities have not identified any known connection between her and the victims, reinforcing the belief that the attacks were random.
The violence caused significant disruption in Times Square as police closed sections of the area to collect evidence and interview witnesses. The incident has renewed public concern about safety and the handling of individuals experiencing severe mental-health crises in densely populated parts of New York City.
The New York Police Department is continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding the attack, including the assailant’s actions before the stabbing and the officers’ use of deadly force.
