The woman killed in an unprovoked stabbing Monday in New York City’s Times Square has been identified as a Bank of America vice president, Erin Piacenti.

In a statement to Global News, the New York Police Department (NYPD) said the incident tool place before 4:30 p.m. local time and police responded to 911 calls of “a disorderly person in the vicinity of West 42 Street and Seventh Avenue, within the confines of the Midtown South Precinct.”

“Upon arrival, officers encountered a 49-year-old female who displayed two large knives and advanced toward them. Officers discharged their firearms, striking the subject. The subject was transported to NYC Health + Hospitals/Bellevue where she was pronounced deceased,” police added.

0:31
1 charged in connection with stabbing of store security guard in Winnipeg

Upon further investigation, officers learned that a 32-year-old female, identified as a Bank of America vice ​president, Erin Piacenti, of Chester, NJ, and a 68-year-old male had sustained stab wounds.

Story continues below advertisement

“EMS responded and transported the victims to NYC Health + Hospitals/Bellevue. The 32-year-old female was later pronounced deceased. The 68-year-old male victim is listed in stable condition,” police said.

Get breaking National news

Get breaking Canada news delivered to your inbox as it happens so you won’t miss a trending story.

By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News’ Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy.

Officers were also transported to a local area hospital for evaluation.

The knives were recovered at the scene and the investigation remains ongoing by the NYPD Force Investigation Division.

“We are shocked and deeply saddened by the tragic loss ​of our colleague. She was a ​valued teammate who will be greatly ⁠missed. Our hearts go out to her ​family and all of her loved ones,” ​the U.S. banking giant said in an emailed statement to Reuters.

Piacenti was a vice president of business selection ​and conflicts at the bank.

Police identified the deceased attacker as 49-year-old Pamela Cisneros, of Queens, N.Y.

Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch referred to the incident as an “unprovoked double stabbing” during a news conference on Monday evening.

“Our preliminary investigation indicates that the incident began near West 41st Street and 7th Avenue, where the subject armed with two knives approached a man who had just exited the subway and was standing with his wife waiting to cross the street,” Tisch said.

“A witness at the scene told investigators that he observed the subject remove two knives from a red Target bag before approaching the first victim. The subject waved the knives before stabbing a 68-year-old man in the right side of his abdomen in what appears to be a random and unprovoked attack,” she continued.

Story continues below advertisement

Tisch said that the subject then proceeded up 7th Avenue toward 42nd Street and approached Piacenti.

The woman stabbed Piacenti in the abdomen and police say they believe this too was a random and unprovoked attack.

“Both stabbings occurred within approximately 20 seconds of each other,” Tisch added.

Tisch said that officers tried to convince Cisneros to drop the knives for several minutes before using a Taser.

The woman told them: “I’m not dropping anything, I would rather kill both of you,” according to Tisch.

“This was an extraordinarily dangerous situation unfolding in the heart of Times Square, the crossroads of the world,” Tisch said.

1:44
1 dead from stab wounds in Hamilton is city’s 9th homicide

The woman has a “documented mental health history with the NYPD,” which includes incidents in 2018 and 2019 but no arrest history with the department, Tisch said. She didn’t provide additional details.

Story continues below advertisement

“We know that those families’ lives have been shattered by what took place today, and we will continue to hold them close as the hours and days and weeks continue from this moment,” said New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani.

During the news conference, Mamdani said he wanted to thank “the NYPD officers who stepped in and prevented a horrific attack from becoming even worse.”

“This is what the men and women of this department do every single day to keep our city safe. As the standard, there will be an internal investigation and body-worn camera footage will be released to the public,” he added.

—With files from The Associated Press and Reuters