【ANN NEWS, NEW YORK】 A random stabbing attack occurred in New York’s Times Square on August 31. Police said the attacker was a 49-year-old woman who wielded two knives and stabbed two strangers within about 20 seconds before being fatally shot during a confrontation with police.
According to New York City Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch, the incident occurred at about 4:24 p.m. near Seventh Avenue between West 41st and West 42nd streets in Times Square. The 49-year-old suspect, Pamela Cisneros, was from Queens, New York. Police said she pulled two knives from a shopping bag and first stabbed a 68-year-old man who had just exited a subway station and was waiting with his wife to cross the street. About 20 seconds later, she continued moving north and stabbed another woman in the abdomen.
Both victims were taken to Bellevue Hospital. The female victim died from her injuries, while the male victim was in stable condition. Police said neither victim knew the suspect and there had been no dispute between them. Police said, “This appears to have been a random and unprovoked attack.”
After the stabbings, Cisneros continued moving north while holding both knives and was confronted by officers who arrived at the scene. Police faced off with her for about four minutes and repeatedly ordered her to drop the knives. Officers attempted to subdue her with a Taser, but were unsuccessful. When Cisneros approached the officers while brandishing the knives, two officers opened fire and struck her. She was taken to a hospital, where she died.
Police said Cisneros had a history of mental health-related incidents but no arrest record in New York City. There is currently no evidence that the case was related to terrorism. Police preliminarily believe the suspect selected her victims at random, and the specific motive remains under investigation.
