The second victim in the Times Square stabbing has now been identified as 68-year-old Tak Kam of Rhode Island. He was stabbed in the abdomen shortly after leaving the subway while with his wife and remains hospitalized in critical but stable condition, according to the latest local reporting.
New reporting has also provided more detail about Erin Piacenti’s life before the attack. The 32-year-old Bank of America vice president was a new mother and had reportedly returned to work following maternity leave shortly before she was killed.
The NYPD’s Force Investigation Division continues to investigate the officers’ fatal shooting of Pamela Cisneros. The confrontation was captured on police body-worn cameras, but the footage has not yet been publicly released. Police continue to describe the two stabbings as random and unprovoked, and no motive has been publicly established.
Erin Piacenti, a 32-year-old Bank of America vice president from Chester, New Jersey, was killed in an apparently random stabbing in Times Square on Monday, August 31, 2026, during an attack that also injured a 68-year-old man. The suspected attacker, Pamela Cisneros, 49, was later fatally shot by NYPD officers after police said Tasers failed to stop her.
The violence unfolded within seconds along Seventh Avenue during the afternoon, sending police and emergency crews into one of New York City’s busiest tourist and commuter districts. Investigators have not identified a motive or found evidence that Piacenti was targeted because of her work at Bank of America.
Victim stabbed to death in Times Square rampage was VP at Bank of America, just celebrated 2nd wedding anniversary https://t.co/z7ixmZmKxj pic.twitter.com/oK41B5yKIz
— New York Post (@nypost) September 1, 2026
🚨🇺🇸 NYPD SHOOT DEAD KNIFE WOMAN AFTER RANDOM TIMES SQUARE STABBING SPREE
— British Intel (@TheBritishIntel) September 1, 2026
A woman who stabbed two strangers in Times Square, killing one, was shot dead by NYPD officers after advancing on them with two knives.
Pamela Cisneros, 49, pulled two knives from a bag and stabbed a… pic.twitter.com/XqtmvqGMi7
Who was Erin Piacenti?
Piacenti worked in New York City as Vice President of Business Selection and Conflicts at Bank of America. Her workplace was reportedly about a block from the scene of the attack.
Bank of America described Piacenti as a valued teammate and said it was shocked and deeply saddened by her death, offering condolences to her family and loved ones.
Piacenti graduated from the University of Pennsylvania in 2016 and Fordham Law School in 2021, according to her professional profile. Reporting based on social media posts said she had celebrated her second wedding anniversary on August 10, about three weeks before she was killed.
Times Square stabbing began near West 41st Street
Police said the first emergency calls came at about 4:24 p.m., reporting a woman armed with two knives near West 41st Street and Seventh Avenue.
Investigators identified the woman as Pamela Cisneros, 49, of Queens. A witness told police Cisneros removed two knives from a red Target shopping bag before approaching a 68-year-old man who had just exited the subway.
The man, reportedly visiting from Rhode Island, was standing with his wife and waiting to cross the street when he was stabbed in the abdomen. He was taken to Bellevue Hospital and reported in stable condition.
Police said there was no known interaction between Cisneros and the man before the attack.
Piacenti was stabbed about 20 seconds later
Cisneros then continued north toward West 42nd Street, where police say she encountered Piacenti and stabbed her in the abdomen.
NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch said the two attacks happened approximately 20 seconds apart. Piacenti was rushed to Bellevue Hospital, where she died from her injuries.
Police have described both stabbings as apparently random and unprovoked. Authorities have not reported any relationship between Cisneros and either victim.
NYPD used Tasers before officers opened fire
Officers confronted Cisneros between West 42nd and West 43rd streets while she was still carrying the knives.
According to police, officers spent approximately four minutes ordering her to drop the weapons. Multiple Tasers were deployed but did not incapacitate her.
Police said Cisneros threatened officers and eventually advanced toward them while armed. Two officers then fired their service weapons. Cisneros was given medical aid and transported to Bellevue Hospital, where she was pronounced dead. Both knives were recovered.
A detailed account of the Times Square attack and NYPD response reports that officers attempted to use less-lethal weapons before gunfire.
What is known about Pamela Cisneros?
Police said Cisneros had no NYPD arrest history, although the department had records of previous mental-health-related encounters involving her in 2018 and 2019.
Investigators have not publicly established what prompted the attacks. Police have also said they had no reason to believe the incident was terrorism-related.
Those unanswered questions are significant: describing the violence as apparently random reflects the current police assessment, but investigators still need to determine what happened before Cisneros allegedly produced the knives.
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NEW – Bank of America vice president Erin Piacenti, stabbed to death in yesterday’s Times Square knife attack that also wounded another person and ended with the suspect shot dead by police — Bloomberg pic.twitter.com/qGmI9Pfnhp
— Disclose.tv (@disclosetv) September 1, 2026
Body-camera footage could provide more answers
The confrontation was captured by NYPD body-worn cameras, and portions of the incident were also recorded by witnesses. Officials have said the police shooting will be investigated and body-camera footage is expected to be released.
Investigators can use that video alongside Times Square surveillance footage, 911 calls and witness statements to establish a more detailed timeline.
The attack adds to scrutiny surrounding public safety in busy urban spaces. Recent incidents elsewhere have similarly triggered large emergency responses, including the fatal Big Church Festival incident that left six other people injured.
New York is also dealing with continuing attention around another high-profile Manhattan killing, with the Luigi Mangione case involving UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson moving through the courts. Police have presented no evidence linking Piacenti’s occupation in finance to the Times Square attack.
Investigation remains active
Authorities are continuing to investigate Cisneros’ actions, the two stabbings and the subsequent police shooting. The surviving 68-year-old victim has not been publicly identified.
For Piacenti’s husband, family, friends and Bank of America colleagues, the investigation follows the sudden loss of a 32-year-old professional just weeks after she celebrated her wedding anniversary. Further details are expected as investigators review video evidence and release additional findings.
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