NEW YORK — A woman stabbed two people in New York City’s Times Square on Monday afternoon, killing one and seriously injuring another before police fatally shot her after she refused repeated orders to drop two knives, authorities said.
The attack occurred shortly after 4:20 p.m. near West 41st Street and Seventh Avenue, in one of Manhattan’s busiest and most heavily policed areas. Police said the two victims were attacked about 20 seconds apart.
The suspect was identified by police as 49-year-old Pamela Cisneros of Queens. Authorities said she had a documented history of mental-health incidents with the NYPD in 2018 and 2019 but no prior arrests.
Two people attacked
According to NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch, Cisneros pulled two large knives from a shopping bag and approached a 68-year-old man who had just left a subway station and was waiting to cross the street with his wife.
She allegedly stabbed him in the abdomen.
The suspect then continued north along Seventh Avenue and approached a 32-year-old woman, whom she also allegedly stabbed in the abdomen.
Both victims were taken to Bellevue Hospital. The 32-year-old woman died from her injuries, while the man was reported in stable condition.
Authorities initially withheld the victims’ names while notifying their families.
Police confront suspect
After the attacks, Cisneros continued toward an NYPD substation near Times Square while still holding the knives.
Officers confronted her and attempted to persuade her to put down the weapons for about four minutes, according to Tisch.
Police said Cisneros refused and threatened the officers, telling them, “I’m not dropping anything. I would rather kill both of you.”
Officers then deployed Tasers, but they failed to stop her.
Two officers subsequently fired their service weapons, striking Cisneros. She was taken to Bellevue Hospital, where she was pronounced dead.
Two knives were recovered at the scene.
No indication of terrorism
Police said the attack appeared to be random and unprovoked and that there was no indication it was terrorism-related.
Tisch said Cisneros had a documented mental-health history with the NYPD but provided few additional details about those previous incidents.
The circumstances surrounding what led to the attacks remain under investigation.
Police shooting will be investigated
Because officers used deadly force, the police shooting will undergo an investigation.
Mayor Zohran Mamdani said body-camera footage from the encounter will be released publicly and that an internal investigation will examine the circumstances surrounding the officers’ use of their weapons.
Mamdani and Tisch both praised the officers who responded, saying they faced a rapidly developing threat in an area filled with residents, commuters and tourists.
Times Square temporarily closed
Police temporarily closed portions of Seventh Avenue between West 42nd and West 47th streets while investigators processed the scene.
The incident occurred next to the NYPD substation outside One Times Square, the building famous for hosting New York City’s annual New Year’s Eve ball drop.
Authorities warned people to avoid the area during the investigation.
What Happens Next
The NYPD investigation will examine the stabbings, the suspect’s background and the circumstances surrounding the police shooting.
Investigators are also expected to review body-worn camera footage and other evidence from the scene.
Key Facts
- Location: Times Square, New York City
- Date: August 31, 2026
- Suspect: Pamela Cisneros, 49
- Victims: Two people
- Deaths: One stabbing victim and the suspect
- Injured: One 68-year-old man
- Weapons: Two knives
- Police response: Tasers followed by gunfire
- Terrorism: No indication of a terrorism-related attack
- Investigation: Ongoing
- Status: DEVELOPING — POLICE INVESTIGATION
Reporting Credit: NYPD — incident investigation, suspect and victim information, and police response; New York City Mayor’s Office — official response and body-camera release; Bellevue Hospital — victim treatment information.
