NYPD Fatally Shoots Woman After Random Stabbing Spree in Times Square
New York City police shot and killed a 49-year-old woman on Monday after she stabbed two people in Times Square in what city authorities described as a random and unprovoked
attack. The incident, which occurred in the heart of the city, resulted in the death of a 32-year-old woman and left a 68-year-old man hospitalized.
Timeline of the Attack
According to investigators, the violence began at approximately 4:24 p.m. near West 41st Street and Seventh Avenue. The suspect, identified as Pamela Cisneros of Queens, had been carrying two knives inside a red Target bag. NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch stated that the 68-year-old male victim had just exited the subway and was waiting to cross the street with his wife when Cisneros approached and stabbed him in the abdomen.
The second stabbing occurred only 20 seconds later. Cisneros moved north on Seventh Avenue toward West 42nd Street, where she approached a 32-year-old woman and stabbed her in the stomach. This portion of the attack was captured on an NYPD Argus camera. Both victims were transported to Bellevue Hospital. While the 68-year-old man remains in stable condition, the 32-year-old woman was pronounced dead at the hospital.
Confrontation with Police
Following the stabbings, Cisneros fled north toward the NYPD substation in Times Square. Witnesses flagged down officers, who intercepted her between West 42nd and West 43rd streets. A tense, four-minute standoff ensued as officers attempted to de-escalate the situation. According to Commissioner Tisch, officers gave 警察官はナイフを捨てるよう何度も命じたが、Cisnerosはこれに応じなかった。
During the encounter, Cisneros reportedly told the officers: Cisnerosは何も捨てるつもりはなく、むしろ二人とも殺してやると警官たちに告げた。She repeated the threat, saying, I will kill you.
As she continued to wave the knives and advance toward the officers, police deployed Tasers twice in an attempt to subdue her. When those efforts failed to stop her, two officers discharged their service weapons at 4:27 p.m. Cisneros was struck and subsequently transported to Bellevue Hospital, where she was pronounced dead. Commissioner Tisch confirmed that the entire shooting was captured on body-worn camera footage.
Official Statements and Context
Commissioner Tisch noted that Cisneros had a documented mental health history.
Police officials have emphasized that the suspect appeared emotionally disturbed and stated that the incident is not considered terror-related. The two knives used in the attack were recovered at the scene.
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani defended the officers’ use of lethal force, noting that the incident will be subject to an internal investigation, which is standard protocol for officer-involved shootings in the city. Mamdani氏は、介入して恐ろしい襲撃がさらに悪化するのを防いだNYPDの警官たちに感謝したいと述べた。
Community Impact
The incident left bystanders and those working in the area shaken. Clyde Benjamin, who works in Times Square, remarked on the broader issue of mental health in the city, stating, Benjamin氏は、精神的な健康の問題だと直感したとし、この街では大きな流行病のようなものであり、何とかして制御しなければならないと語った。
Others expressed shock at the level of violence in a public space. A tourist visiting from Ireland, who witnessed the incident, noted that such events are not common in their home country. このような光景は初めてであり、銃を持った警察官を見かけることもないと、その観光客は話した。Another witness, Bob Blomeley, emphasized the need for situational awareness, noting, Blomeley氏は、周囲の状況やそこにいる人々に気を配り、適切な選択をすることが私たち自身に求められていると強調した。