A 32 year old Bank of America vice president has been identified as the woman killed in a shocking random stabbing in the heart of New York City’s Times Square.
Erin Piacenti, of Chester, New Jersey, was walking near Seventh Avenue and West 42nd Street Monday afternoon when police say a woman armed with two knives attacked her without warning.
Piacenti suffered a stab wound to the abdomen and was rushed to Bellevue Hospital, where doctors pronounced her dead.
The violence unfolded in broad daylight in one of the busiest tourist destinations in America.
NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch described the violence as a “random and unprovoked attack.”
Two Victims Attacked Within Seconds
Police say the violence began when 49 year old Pamela Cisneros approached a 68 year old man near West 41st Street and Seventh Avenue.
The man was standing with his wife when Cisneros allegedly pulled two knives from a bag and stabbed him in the abdomen.
Moments later, investigators say Cisneros encountered Piacenti near 42nd Street and stabbed her.
The 68 year old victim survived and was hospitalized in stable condition.
Police confronted Cisneros while she remained armed with the knives. Officers repeatedly ordered her to drop the weapons and attempted to stop her with a Taser.
Authorities say Cisneros eventually advanced toward officers while still armed. Two officers opened fire, fatally wounding her.
Police have found no evidence connecting the victims to their attacker and have described the violence as random.
Bank of America Mourns Piacenti
Piacenti worked as vice president of business selection and conflicts at Bank of America.
“We are shocked and deeply saddened by the tragic loss of our colleague,” Bank of America said.
The company called Piacenti a “valued teammate” and extended condolences to her family and loved ones.
Piacenti was also an attorney. She graduated from the University of Pennsylvania and later earned her law degree from Fordham University School of Law.
Her death transformed another discussion about crime statistics into the story of a real family experiencing unimaginable loss.
Public Safety Questions Return
The attack occurred near a Times Square police station, where officers were able to respond quickly.
Police officials said Cisneros had previous encounters with law enforcement involving mental health concerns but no prior arrest record.
The circumstances raise difficult questions about how cities address severe mental illness while protecting innocent people from individuals who may become dangerous.
Compassion for those struggling with mental illness and protection for innocent citizens cannot become competing priorities. America needs both.
A Biblical Perspective
Scripture teaches that human life carries extraordinary value because mankind was created by God.
“So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him.” (Genesis 1:27 KJV)
Government also carries a responsibility to restrain evil and protect innocent life.
“For he is the minister of God to thee for good.” (Romans 13:4 KJV)
Where We Stand
No American should fear being randomly stabbed while walking through a major American city.
Political leaders must support law enforcement while developing effective ways to intervene when individuals suffering from severe mental illness become a danger to themselves or others.
But today, Erin Piacenti should remain more than another name attached to another crime story.
She was a wife, daughter, attorney, colleague, and young professional whose life ended at only 32 years old.
Pray for Erin’s husband, family, friends, and colleagues. Pray for the surviving victim and his family. Pray for the officers who confronted the attacker.
America must rediscover the value of human life while restoring safety and order to our streets.
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The time to speak is now, the time to act is now. The time to pray for Erin Piacenti’s family, public safety, and America’s cities is now.
