A knife-wielding woman stabbed two people in New York City’s tourist attraction, killing one woman, before police opened fire at her.
She is said to have randomly attacked people with a knife in the packed area, killing one woman before being shot by police.
The stabbing spree lasted around 20 seconds in the heart of Times Square, authorities said.
New York City’s mayor, Zohran Mamdani, said the alleged assailant was carrying ‘multiple knives.’
The first victim was a 32-year-old woman, who was seriously hurt in the stomach. She succumbed to her injuries at a hospital, according to CNN.
The second victim was a 68-year-old man, who was also knifed in the abdomen. He is said to be in a stable condition in the hospital.
The suspect has been named as Pamela Cisneros, 49, from Queens. She was described as having a ‘documented mental health history with the NYPD.’
She was given ‘numerous commands to drop the knives,’ which she allegedly refused during the stand-off in front of crowds at about 4.30pm local time.
Police officers first used Tasers, but failed to stop her before discharging their weapons.
NYPD’s Commissioner Jessica Tisch described the incident as ‘random and unprovoked,’ and in an area with thousands of visitors, families and commuters in the area.
Tisch said: ‘This was an extraordinarily dangerous situation unfolding in the heart of Times Square, the crossroads of the world.’
It happened next to One Times Square, which hosts the annual New Year’s Eve party, and has a heavy police presence all year round.
The police said there is no evidence of terrorism links at this stage.
Mamdani confirmed that the two victims and the suspect were taken to Bellevue Hospital in Manhattan.
He said: ‘I’m deeply saddened to report that one of the victims has passed away, as has the alleged perpetrator.
‘The second victim is currently in hospital in stable condition.’
Tisch said the suspect’s mental health record with the force included an incident in 2018 and one in 2019. She has no arrest history with the New York police.
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