Woman Stabs 2 People in Times Square Before Being Fatally Shot by Police

A tragic incident unfolded in Times Square, New York City, on Monday, 31 August 2026, where a woman allegedly attacked two victims with knives, resulting in one fatality and another hospitalisation. The assailant, identified as 49-year-old Pamela Cisneros from Queens, was shot dead by police after disregarding their commands to drop her weapons.

The New York Police Department (NYPD) reported that authorities received multiple 911 calls at approximately 4:24 p.m., alerting them to a woman brandishing two knives and attacking individuals along Seventh Avenue. The situation escalated quickly in a busy area known for its heavy foot traffic comprising New Yorkers, tourists, and commuters.

According to Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch, Cisneros reportedly approached a 68-year-old man who was with his wife just after he had exited the subway. Witnesses claimed they saw her retrieve two knives from a red Target shopping bag before launching a seemingly random attack. The man was stabbed in his right side and was later taken to Bellevue Hospital, where he remains in stable condition.

Shortly after the initial assault, Cisneros advanced towards a 32-year-old woman located near West 42nd Street, stabbing her in the abdomen. Tragically, this second victim was pronounced dead at Bellevue Hospital shortly after the attack. The incidents occurred within roughly 20 seconds of each other, highlighting the chaos of the situation.

Witness accounts indicate that as the violence unfolded, Cisneros was seen running with her knives before police officers arrived and surrounded her. A witness described seeing the gun-wielding woman pass by before law enforcement intervened.

When confronted by officers on Seventh Avenue, Cisneros continued to hold both knives and was uncooperative. Officers engaged her for about four minutes, repeatedly instructing her to relinquish her weapons. During this time, she reportedly responded aggressively, stating, “I’m not dropping anything. I would rather kill both of you.”

The situation escalated when Cisneros began moving toward the officers while brandishing her knives. Despite attempts to subdue her with Tasers, those efforts proved ineffective. Ultimately, two officers discharged their firearms, striking Cisneros and leading to her death shortly thereafter at Bellevue Hospital.

Mayor Zohran Mamdani confirmed during a press briefing that the officers involved acted in accordance with their training, given the immediate threat to public safety. He emphasised the grave dangers posed by the suspect’s actions in such a densely populated area and acknowledged the exceptional quick response of law enforcement.

Cisneros’s encounter with police was not her first; authorities noted a documented history of mental health issues but indicated that she did not have prior arrests with the NYPD. This background raises questions about the complex intersection of mental health and public safety, an issue that often requires nuanced intervention.

City officials stated they do not suspect terrorism was a motive behind Cisneros’s actions, although the ongoing investigation will explore the incident comprehensively. The Mayor extended his sympathies to the victims’ families and called for public support for the surviving victim, who is currently recuperating in hospital.

An internal investigation into the shooting is set to take place, with a promise to release body camera footage to provide transparency regarding the incident. As the probe continues, the community is left grappling with the aftermath of an act of violence that claimed one life and placed many others at risk.

This distressing event occurs against a backdrop of heightened awareness surrounding public safety in urban areas, where such attacks can have sweeping impacts on community sentiment and law enforcement policies. Further updates are expected as the NYPD continues to assess the situation and support the victims and their families.