A woman fatally stabbed one person and injured another in New York City’s Times Square on Monday before being shot and killed by police, authorities said. The incident unfolded shortly before 4:30 p.m. near West 41st Street and Seventh Avenue, a heavily frequented area known as the Crossroads of the World.

The suspect, identified as Pamela Cisneros, 49, from Queens, reportedly pulled two kitchen knives from a shopping bag and attacked a 68-year-old man, stabbing him in the abdomen as he exited a subway station. She then proceeded to stab a 32-year-old woman in the abdomen a short distance away. Both victims were transported to nearby hospitals; the woman died, and the man was reported to be in stable condition. Police did not confirm whether the victims were residents or tourists.

Following the attacks, officers confronted Cisneros behind a nearby NYPD substation. According to police officials, she wielded the knives aggressively, refusing multiple commands to disarm, and threatened to kill officers. Law enforcement made several attempts to subdue her using Tasers, which proved ineffective. As she advanced toward the officers, they opened fire, striking her. She was pronounced dead at Bellevue Hospital.

NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch noted that Cisneros had a history of mental health issues, with prior encounters documented by the police department in 2018 and 2019, though she had no prior arrests. An internal investigation was launched to review the use-of-force incident. Authorities stated there was no evidence linking the attack to terrorism, and the motive remained unclear.

The event caused widespread alarm among bystanders and tourists, with some witnesses describing scenes of panic and chaos as people fled the area. Delivery workers and pedestrians recounted seeing victims on the ground and officers providing immediate assistance.

Mayor Mamdani praised the response of the NYPD officers, emphasizing their action prevented further harm in a densely crowded public space. Both he and Commissioner Tisch expressed condolences to the victims and highlighted the officers’ training and efforts amid a rapidly developing threat.

The investigation remains ongoing as authorities seek to fully understand the circumstances leading to the attacks and the suspect’s actions.