A woman accused of stabbing a tourist at Macy’s flagship store in New York City had been released from a psychiatric hospital just hours before the attack, prosecutors revealed. Kerri Aherne, a 43-year-old Massachusetts woman, faced charges of attempted murder and assault following the incident. She appeared in court on December 12, where she was ordered to be held without bail. Prosecutors disclosed that Aherne had been discharged from a Manhattan psychiatric ward on the morning of the attack, after a year-long stay, and had entered Macy’s with the intention of killing someone as she believed voices in her head instructed her to do so.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(jpeg)/Macy-New-York-121325-02-b338b8241cbd4e82bab97b22d8346f95.jpg)
According to reports, Aherne purchased a knife from Macy’s and then targeted a 39-year-old woman from California in the store’s bathroom. The victim was in the midst of changing her baby when she was attacked, resulting in the baby falling from the changing table. Fortunately, the infant was unharmed during the incident. Law enforcement officers from the New York Police Department responded to the scene following a report of the assault at Macy’s Herald Square around 3:15 p.m. local time on December 11. The victim, an employee of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, sustained multiple stab wounds to her back and a laceration to her arm. She was subsequently taken to the hospital and discharged.
Aherne faced charges of attempted murder, assault, possession of a weapon, and endangering the welfare of a child. Prosecutors also revealed that Aherne had a history of mental illness, having been arrested in 2018 for threatening to kill Senator Elizabeth Warren on Facebook. Subsequently, she was deemed incapacitated, with her mother and sister appointed as guardians, and placed on a court-ordered treatment plan. Despite being released from a psychiatric facility in New York City, Aherne expressed dissatisfaction with the care received, stating her reluctance to return to such facilities.
The bail application unveiled details of Aherne’s departure from Massachusetts in 2024 while on temporary leave from the hospital, during which she made statements suggesting a preference for prison over continued hospital treatment. Aherne is set to appear in court again on December 17. In light of this disturbing incident, authorities underline the importance of mental health awareness and support for individuals struggling with such challenges. If you or someone you know requires mental health assistance, text “STRENGTH” to the Crisis Text Line at 741-741 to connect with a certified crisis counselor. Such cases underscore the vital need for improved mental health resources and support to prevent tragic incidents like these from occurring.
The Macy’s stabbing incident serves as a stark reminder of the complexities surrounding mental health issues and the potential consequences when proper support and treatment are lacking. The incident sheds light on the importance of early intervention and comprehensive mental health care to prevent such tragic events from taking place. The woman’s release from a psychiatric hospital just before the attack raises questions about the effectiveness of mental health care services and the need for better monitoring and support for individuals with mental health challenges. The case underscores the critical need for improved mental health resources and measures to support individuals in accessing appropriate care and preventing such incidents in the future.
As the investigation into this troubling incident continues, officials must also reflect on the broader implications for mental health care provision and the safeguards in place to protect individuals and the community from such incidents. It is crucial to address gaps in mental health support systems and ensure that individuals facing mental health challenges receive the necessary care and monitoring to prevent potentially harmful outcomes. The Macy’s stabbing case highlights the pressing need for enhanced mental health services and interventions to address the complex needs of individuals grappling with mental health issues and to prevent tragic incidents like this from occurring in the future.