A Bank of America vice president was killed in a stabbing incident in New York City’s Times Square, with police describing the attack as random and unprovoked.
The incident occurred in broad daylight in the heart of Midtown Manhattan on Monday, bringing emergency services to the busy tourist area as police and other first responders rushed to the scene.
The victim was identified by the New York City Police Department as Erin Piacenti, 32. Bank of America confirmed the death of a staff member, while an internal company memo reviewed by Reuters also confirmed Piacenti’s identity.
Bank of America Confirms Employee’s Death
Piacenti worked as a vice president in Bank of America’s Business Selection and Conflicts unit, according to her LinkedIn profile.
She had joined the bank around 18 months before the incident, according to an internal memo from Matthew Koder, president of Bank of America’s Global Corporate and Investment Banking division.
“We are shocked and deeply saddened by the tragic loss of our colleague,” Bank of America said in a statement to Reuters. The bank described Piacenti as a valued teammate and expressed sympathy for her family and loved ones.
Bank of America’s Manhattan office is located close to Times Square at One Bryant Park.
68-Year-Old Man Also Injured
The stabbing also left an unnamed 68-year-old man with stab wounds, according to the NYPD.
Police said the man was in stable condition following the attack.
The incident took place at approximately 4:24 p.m. ET near West 42nd Street and Seventh Avenue, according to NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch.
Tisch said the attack appeared to be random and unprovoked, adding to concerns surrounding a violent incident in one of New York City’s busiest tourist areas.
Police Shoot Suspect After Knife Attack
According to the NYPD, officers arriving at the scene encountered Pamela Cisneros, 49, who was reportedly carrying two large knives and advanced toward police officers.
Officers shot Cisneros, who was later pronounced dead.
Commissioner Tisch said Cisneros had a documented mental health history.
Authorities are continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding the attack and the events that led to the stabbing.
Bank Security Teams Supporting Investigation
Bank of America officials said the company’s security teams were assisting police with the investigation.
Koder described Piacenti as a “cherished teammate and friend” and said her death was deeply felt by colleagues.
He also said the bank’s security teams were fully engaged in supporting the police investigation and addressing the safety and security of the company’s offices and employees.
The incident has also renewed attention on security concerns in major business districts, where thousands of employees, residents and tourists move through crowded public spaces every day.
Previous High-Profile Attacks in Manhattan
The Times Square stabbing follows several other high-profile violent incidents involving prominent business figures in Manhattan in recent years.
Last year, a senior Blackstone executive was killed after a gunman carrying an assault rifle entered the lobby of a Midtown Manhattan office building and opened fire.
In 2022, a Goldman Sachs employee was fatally shot in what authorities described as a random and unprovoked attack while travelling on a train from Brooklyn toward Lower Manhattan.
UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson was also fatally shot outside a Manhattan hotel in 2024 in what law-enforcement officials described as a premeditated assassination.
Despite these incidents, recent NYPD data indicated that overall crime indicators have been improving in the city.
New York Crime Data Shows Decline
The NYPD said last month that New York City recorded its fewest shooting incidents, shooting victims and murders on record for both the first seven months of the year and the month of July.
The figures indicate that the latest high-profile attacks are occurring against a broader backdrop of declining violent crime in the city.
However, the Times Square incident has highlighted the continuing risks faced by people in crowded public places, particularly in areas that attract large numbers of tourists and workers.
The investigation into the stabbing remains ongoing as authorities work to establish the full sequence of events.
Bank of America has expressed condolences to Piacenti’s family and colleagues, while police continue examining the circumstances surrounding the attack that resulted in her death and left another person injured.
