Woman shot dead by police after stabbing two people, one fatally, in Times Square

NEW YORK, Sep 1: A woman who allegedly stabbed two people in Times Square, killing one, was shot and killed by police Monday afternoon after she refused repeated orders to drop two knives, authorities said.

The incident began at about 4:24 p.m. near West 41st Street and Seventh Avenue, according to police.

NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch identified the suspect as Pamela Cisneros, 49, of Queens.

Police said Cisneros first approached a 68-year-old man near the subway and stabbed him in the abdomen. She then moved north and stabbed a 32-year-old woman, also in the abdomen.

The female victim was taken to Bellevue Hospital, where she later died from her injuries. The male victim was also hospitalized and was in stable condition, police said.

After the stabbings, Cisneros continued north toward an NYPD substation while still carrying the knives, authorities said.

According to Tisch, officers confronted Cisneros and spoke with her for about four minutes, repeatedly ordering her to drop the weapons. Police said she refused and threatened officers.

Multiple officers deployed Tasers in an attempt to stop her, but they were unsuccessful, police said. Two officers then fired their service weapons after Cisneros advanced toward them while holding the knives.

Cisneros was struck by the gunfire and transported to Bellevue Hospital, where she was pronounced dead.

Authorities said Cisneros had a documented history of mental-health-related incidents involving the NYPD in 2018 and 2019.

The incident was initially reported as a knifepoint robbery, but police later said they believed Cisneros was emotionally disturbed and that there was no clear motive for the attacks.

Traffic restrictions were imposed from West 42nd Street to West 47th Street as police continued their investigation.