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Times Square attack: Ecuadorian woman killed by NYPD after fatal stabbing
Pamela Cisneros, a 49-year-old Ecuadorian national, was shot and killed by the New York Police Department in Times Square after a knife attack on August 31, 2026. The incident resulted in the death of Erin Piacenti, a 32-year-old Bank of America vice president, who died at Bellevue Hospital. A second victim, 68-year-old Tak Kam, was treated and remains in stable condition.
Cisneros's family has shared details regarding her long-term struggle with mental health, noting a diagnosis of bipolar disorder following postpartum depression. Her brother, Patrick Peralta, stated she had been stable for several years through monthly psychiatric injections. The family noted unusual behavior in the week leading up to the attack and expressed distress over the fatal police response to what they described as a mental health crisis.
Authorities noted that Cisneros had a documented history of mental health-related incidents, including a 2018 altercation and a 2019 suicide attempt involving a subway train.
Entities
Erin Piacenti · New York Police Department · Pamela Cisneros · Tak Kam · Times Square
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 2 SOURCES] Cisneros had been receiving monthly psychiatric injections for her treatment. elmercuriomanta.ec · www.elcomercio.com
- [DISPUTED] Tak Kam remained in stable condition following the attack. www.elcomercio.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] Pamela Cisneros was shot by NYPD officers after attacking two people with a knife. elmercuriomanta.ec · www.elcomercio.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Erin Piacenti died at Bellevue Hospital due to her injuries. www.elcomercio.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Cisneros stabbed 68-year-old Tak Kam and 32-year-old Erin Piacenti. www.elcomercio.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] Cisneros had documented mental health incidents in 2018 and 2019. elmercuriomanta.ec · www.elcomercio.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] Cisneros had a history of mental health issues, including postpartum depression and bipolar disorder. elmercuriomanta.ec · www.elcomercio.com