A 49-year-old woman armed with two knives was fatally shot by police in New York’s Times Square on Monday after she allegedly stabbed two people, killing one of them.
Thenewsbearer gathered from a post on X handle that the incident occurred at about 4:24 p.m. near West 41st Street and Seventh Avenue, according to the New York Police Department (NYPD).
NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch identified the suspect as Pamela Cisneros of Queens. Police said Cisneros first approached a 68-year-old man near a subway station and stabbed him in the abdomen.
She allegedly continued north before attacking a 32-year-old woman, also stabbing her in the abdomen. Both victims were rushed to hospital, but the female victim later died at Bellevue Hospital. The 68-year-old man remained hospitalised in stable condition.
According to police, Cisneros then proceeded towards an NYPD substation while still carrying the two knives.
Officers reportedly spent about four minutes attempting to de-escalate the situation and repeatedly ordered her to drop the weapons. Police said she refused the commands and threatened officers.
Several officers deployed Tasers in an attempt to stop her, but the devices failed to halt her advance.
Authorities said Cisneros subsequently moved towards the officers while holding the knives, prompting two officers to fire their service weapons.
Cisneros was struck by gunfire and taken to Bellevue Hospital, where she was pronounced dead.
Police said the woman had a documented history of mental-health-related encounters with the NYPD in 2018 and 2019.
The circumstances surrounding the police shooting are expected to be investigated as authorities continue examining the stabbing attacks and the officers’ use of deadly force.
