Woman with Knife Stabs Two in Times Square Before Being Shot Dead by NYPD

New York, New York — August 31, 2026 — Authorities say a woman wielding two knives stabbed two people in Times Square on Monday afternoon, one of whom died, before approaching New York City police officers, who then shot and killed her.

The incident began around 4:24 p.m. near West 41st Street and Seventh Avenue. New York City Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch confirmed the woman was 49-year-old Pamela Cisneros from Queens. Police say she approached a 68-year-old man, who was stabbed in the abdomen near a subway entrance. She then moved north and stabbed a 32-year-old woman in the abdomen. The female victim was taken to Bellevue Hospital, where she later succumbed to her injuries. The male victim was hospitalized and is in stable condition.

Cisneros then continued toward a local NYPD precinct station with the knives in hand. According to Tisch, officers spoke with her for about four minutes and repeatedly ordered her to drop the weapons. Police say Cisneros refused to comply and threatened the officers. Several officers deployed Tasers, but they failed to stop her. Subsequently, two officers opened fire with their service weapons as Cisneros advanced on them with the knives.

Cisneros was taken to Bellevue Hospital after being shot and was pronounced dead there. Authorities say Cisneros had a documented history of mental health-related incidents involving interactions with the NYPD in 2018 and 2019.