Panic erupted in New York's bustling Times Square as a 49-year-old woman, Pamela Cisneros, armed with two large knives, attacked passersby in broad daylight. Cisneros, known to have mental health issues, stabbed a 68-year-old man and a 32-year-old woman, both in the abdomen. The woman later succumbed to her injuries, while the man is in stable condition. Police shot and killed Cisneros after unsuccessful attempts to subdue her with a stun gun.
New York Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch reported that officers engaged Cisneros in dialogue for four minutes, repeatedly commanding her to drop the knives, which she refused. 'I'm not dropping anything. I would rather kill both of you,' she told the officers before being shot. The incident, which unfolded in the heart of Times Square, did not appear to be terror-related.
Mayor Zohran Mamdani confirmed the deaths during a press conference, emphasizing the gravity of the situation in one of the city's most crowded areas. 'This was an extraordinarily dangerous situation unfolding in the crossroads of the world,' Tisch said. The large emergency services presence and the police's swift response underscored the severity of the threat posed by Cisneros.
Witnesses described a chaotic scene, with one telling local TV outlet PIX11 that Cisneros was tased by police before rushing at officers. An AFP journalist at the scene observed officials inspecting a patch of blood, highlighting the violence that had transpired. The attacker's identity and mental health history added layers of complexity to the incident, raising questions about public safety and mental health support in urban environments.
The victims' identities remain undisclosed pending family notification, a standard procedure in such tragic events. This incident serves as a stark reminder of the unpredictable dangers that can arise in public spaces, even in highly monitored areas like Times Square. It also brings attention to the challenges faced by law enforcement in managing and mitigating such crises.
