A woman accused of going on a terrifying stabbing spree in the heart of Times Square was shot and killed by police Monday after authorities say she refused repeated orders to drop two knives.
The suspect, identified as 49-year-old Pamela Cisneros of Queens, allegedly stabbed two strangers just seconds apart near Seventh Avenue on Aug. 31, according to NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch.
One of the victims, a 32-year-old woman, later died at Bellevue Hospital. A second victim, a 68-year-old man, was hospitalized in stable condition.
Police said the violence began around 4:24 p.m., when multiple 911 callers reported a woman armed with two knives stabbing people along Seventh Avenue.
Investigators say Cisneros first approached the 68-year-old man near West 41st Street after he had just exited the subway and was standing with his wife.
A witness told police that Cisneros pulled two knives from a red Target bag before walking toward the man.
She then allegedly stabbed him in the right side of his abdomen in what police described as a completely random and unprovoked attack.
Cisneros continued north toward West 42nd Street, where police say she approached a 32-year-old woman and stabbed her in the abdomen.
That attack was captured on a police camera.
The two stabbings happened just about 20 seconds apart, Tisch said.
The female victim was rushed to Bellevue Hospital, where she was pronounced dead. Police did not immediately release either victim’s name as authorities worked to notify their families.
A witness told PIX11 that Cisneros was running through Times Square with a knife in each hand before officers surrounded her.
“She ran by me at the corner and she had two knives in her hands,” the witness said.
Officers eventually confronted Cisneros on Seventh Avenue between West 42nd and West 43rd streets.
Police said she was still holding both knives.
For about four minutes, officers repeatedly ordered her to drop the weapons, according to Tisch.
But Cisneros allegedly refused and threatened the officers.
“I’m not dropping anything. I would rather kill both of you,” she allegedly told them.
Police said she then added, “I will kill you.”
Authorities say Cisneros began waving the knives and moving toward officers.
Multiple officers fired Tasers, but police said they failed to stop her.
Two officers then opened fire with their service weapons, striking Cisneros.
She was taken to Bellevue Hospital, where she was pronounced dead.
The entire police shooting was captured on officers’ body-worn cameras.
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani said an internal investigation will be conducted and that the body-camera footage will eventually be released to the public.
Police said Cisneros had a documented history of mental health-related encounters with the NYPD in 2018 and 2019, but she had no arrest history with the department.
Authorities also said there is currently no evidence suggesting the attack was connected to terrorism.
Tisch described the scene as an “extraordinarily dangerous situation” unfolding in one of the busiest areas of New York City, surrounded by tourists, commuters, workers and families.
“Our officers were confronted with a rapidly evolving threat with countless innocent people around them,” Tisch said. “In that moment, they did what we trained them to do.”
Mamdani offered condolences to the victims and their families and thanked the officers who responded.
“I’m deeply saddened to report that one of the victims has passed away, as has the alleged perpetrator,” the mayor said.
The surviving victim remained hospitalized in stable condition.
The investigation is ongoing.
Mayor Mamdani is “deeply saddened “that one victim and the “alleged perpetrator” have passed away.
Two stabbings witnessed by others and cameras and she had the two bloody knives in her hands. He can now blame the police for the perps death as it is only an “alleged “crime. What a bunch of horse puckey.
That’s what always should happen with freaks. Just get rid of them, they are a menace to society