Visitors to New York's bustling and famed Times Square were left in shock when a woman armed with a knife in each hand began attacking passersby.
The woman managed to stab two individuals on Monday (local time), resulting in the death of one before police intervened, shooting and killing her.
Today in Times Square when tasers don't work pic.twitter.com/aALVDZgYD0
— The E Man??Street PHD (@DETECTIVE4LIFE) August 31, 2026
New York Mayor Zahran Mamdani confirmed the two fatalities during a press conference, noting that the second victim is in stable condition at the hospital.
According to Jessica Tisch, New York Police Commissioner, the attacker, identified as 49-year-old Pamela Cisneros from Queens, who was known to suffer from mental health issues, brandished two knives from her bag, threatening people in broad daylight.
She approached a 68-year-old man, stabbing him in the abdomen. Just twenty seconds later, she attacked a 32-year-old woman, also stabbing her in the abdomen, an injury that proved fatal.
Police quickly intervened, attempting to reason with Cisneros to drop the knives. Tisch explained that officers "engaged in a dialogue with the woman for four minutes, issuing several commands to drop the knives."
Cisneros refused, stating, "I won’t drop anything… I’d rather kill you both," prompting police to open fire.
The police confirmed that they initially used a stun gun unsuccessfully before resorting to gunfire.
A witness told local media outlet "PIX11" that the suspect had knives in both hands, and the police attempted to use a taser before she lunged at them. The unnamed witness added, "They shot her twice."