A 32-year-old vice-president at Bank of America, Erin Piacenti, has been killed in a stabbing incident in Times Square, New York City.
The attack occurred late Monday afternoon, with police saying a woman armed with knives also stabbed a 68-year-old man, who was taken to hospital and remains in stable condition.
Authorities confirmed Piacenti’s identity on Tuesday.
New York Police Department (NYPD) Commissioner Jessica Tisch described the attack as “unprovoked”, saying the two stabbings occurred just 20 seconds apart.
Tisch said a witness told investigators that the suspect removed two knives from a red Target bag before approaching the first victim.
The suspect allegedly waved the knives before stabbing the 68-year-old man in the right side of his abdomen in what police described as a random and unprovoked attack.
Police identified the suspect as 49-year-old Pamela Cisneros. Authorities said she continued along Seventh Avenue towards 42nd Street, where she stabbed Piacenti, who was later pronounced dead in hospital.
Officers subsequently shot Cisneros after she allegedly refused to drop her weapons and charged towards them. She was later pronounced dead at the hospital.
Bank of America expressed shock and deep sadness over Piacenti’s death, describing her as a valued teammate who would be greatly missed.
Piacenti’s death has brought a tragic end to the life of the young banking executive, following what police described as a random and unprovoked stabbing in one of New York City’s busiest areas.
