The fluctuating crime rates in New York City have become an unsettling topic of discussion for New Yorkers, as a 49-year-old woman from Queens, described by police as emotionally disturbed, threatened people in Times Square, brandishing two knives, before stabbing two people.

According to the New York City Police, Pamela Cisneros was allegedly seen approaching a man, 68, who had just exited the subway and was waiting with his wife to cross the street near 41st Street and Seventh Avenue.

Cisneros then pulled two kitchen knives from a red Target bag and stabbed him, police say. She then turned her attention immediately to a 32-year-old woman, stabbing her in the stomach.

The woman, later identified as Erin Piacenti, was the vice president of Bank of America. Piacenti was rushed to the hospital, where she succumbed to her injuries.

Bank of America issued a statement expressing shock and sadness over the loss of a valued teammate and extending condolences to her family.

"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 bank wrote in the email obtained by Reuters.

The 68-year-old-man from Rhode Island was taken to Bellevue Hospital, where police said he was recovering.

Officers responded to 911 calls and encountered Cisneros brandishing the knives. After a roughly four-minute standoff in which they attempted to use tasers, she advanced toward them. Two officers opened fire, striking her. She was pronounced dead at the hospital.

NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch said Cisneros had a documented mental health history, including two prior encounters with police in 2018 and 2019, but no arrest record. The department stated there was no indication of terrorism or that the two victims were intentionally targeted.

The attack occurred in broad daylight in one of New York City's busiest tourist districts, halting traffic and drawing emergency responders to the scene. This has drawn considerable concern from citizens, with one person interviewed by ABC7 acknowledging the severity of the mental health crisis.

"I knew it was mental health issues. That's a big epidemic out here, bro. We gotta get that under control," Clyde Benjamin, who works in Times Square, said.

Another man recognized that New Yorkers must be on guard constantly, saying that on the same day of the stabbing, he’d narrowly avoided a stranger swinging their fist at him on the subway.

"It's just on us to be mindful of, like, staying aware of our surroundings and the people that are in it, and making good choices. And that means being mindful and not being distracted by my phone all the time, or what's playing in my ears," Bob Blomeley said.

Has Crime Been on the Rise?

Crime has been a persistent issue within New York City, with political candidates hitching their entire campaign ticket solely on reducing the city’s major crime statistics.

Tracking crime statistics through the NYPD CompStat 2.0, the system records seven major felony categories: murder, robbery, aggravated assault, burglary, grand larceny, rape, and other felonies.

Provided below is a key trend of the city’s crime statistics broken down into specific time periods:

  • 2012–2019: Crime fell steadily; murders dropped from 419/100k in 2012 to 319/100k in 2019; robberies fell from 20,201/100k to 13,396/100k; burglaries from 18,635/100k to 9,846/100k.
  • 2020: Pandemic disruption caused a sharp spike — murders 468/100k, robberies 13,182/100k, burglaries 13,907/100k
  • 2021–2023: Crime remained elevated; murders 438/100k (2021)—404/100k (2022)—356/100k (2023); robberies 17,433/100k (2021)—16,801/100k (2022)—16,487/100k (2023).
  • 2024: Overall major crime 123,890 (up 27% from 2019); murders 382; robberies 16,580; burglaries 13,070
  • 2025 (YTD): Major crime 121,756 (down 1.7% from 2024); murders 309; robberies 15,092; burglaries 12,826

From the information gathered, New York City crime rates peaked in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, then eased in 2025, but remain above pre-pandemic levels in several categories.

While major crimes have declined across most of the city’s categories, the overall major crime statistic remains 27% higher than before the pandemic peak, according to Vital City.

Calls for more refined mental health services available by the state have been made, as Cisneros has had a history of law enforcement encounters due to her mental health.

According to New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, the NYPD will conduct an internal investigation, and body-worn camera footage will be released to the public

"I've said before that that would not be applicable when there is the threat of violence, and what we are speaking about is an alleged perpetrator who stabbed two individuals before then being engaged by police. We know that those families' lives have been shattered by what took place today. And we will continue to hold them close," Mamdani said.