Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
‘I will kill you’: Police fatally shoot woman after Times Square stabbing
By
Charles Lane
and
Giulia Heyward
Published Aug 31, 2026
Modified Aug 31, 2026
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
ANGELA WEISS / AFP via Getty Images
By
Charles Lane
and
Giulia Heyward
Published Aug 31, 2026
Modified Aug 31, 2026
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
A woman who police said stabbed two people at random in Times Square, killing one, told officers “I will kill you” before advancing toward them with two knives and being fatally shot Monday afternoon, according to NYPD officials.
Police identified the woman as 49-year-old Pamela Cisneros of Queens. NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch said Cisneros stabbed a 68-year-old man and a 32-year-old woman within about 20 seconds of each other before continuing north on Seventh Avenue. The 32-year-old woman died at Bellevue Hospital, while the man was hospitalized in stable condition, officials said.
The incident began at about 4:24 p.m. near West 41st Street and Seventh Avenue, according to Tisch, who described the stabbings as random and unprovoked. Police said officers found Cisneros farther north and spent about four minutes trying to persuade her to drop the knives before using Tasers and ultimately firing their guns as she advanced toward them.
Tisch described the incident as a “senseless attack” at a press conference Monday evening.
Tisch identified the first victim as a 68-year-old man who had just exited the subway and was waiting to cross the street alongside his wife. Police said Cisneros stabbed him in the right side of his abdomen. He was taken to Bellevue Hospital and is in stable condition, she said.
Tisch said the second victim was a 32-year-old woman who was also stabbed in the abdomen and later pronounced dead at Bellevue.
The NYPD commissioner said both attacks appeared to be random and unprovoked.
Cisneros then continued north on Seventh Avenue, according to police. Officers encountered her between West 42nd and West 43rd streets while she was still armed with both knives.
Tisch said officers “engaged the woman in dialogue for four minutes and gave her numerous commands to drop the knives, which she refused.”
During the encounter, Tisch said Cisneros told officers, “I’m not dropping anything. I would rather kill both of you.” Tisch said she then repeated, “I will kill you.”
Police said Cisneros began waving the knives and advanced toward the officers. Tisch said multiple officers deployed Tasers, but they were ineffective and Cisneros continued advancing with the knives. Two officers then fired their guns, striking her, authorities said.
Cisneros was taken to Bellevue Hospital, where she was pronounced dead.
The police shooting was captured on officers’ body-worn cameras, Tisch said.
Mayor Zohran Mamdani said the footage will eventually be released to the public and an internal investigation will be conducted.
“I want to thank the NYPD officers who stepped in and prevented a horrific attack from becoming even worse,” Mamdani said.
Both knives were recovered at the scene, according to police.
Cisneros had no arrest history with the NYPD but had a "documented mental health history" with the department involving incidents in 2018 and 2019, Tisch said. Police did not provide additional details about those incidents.
“This was an extraordinarily dangerous situation unfolding in the heart of Times Square, the crossroads of the world,” Tisch said.
Police have not identified a motive for the stabbings.
Tisch said investigators have no reason to believe the incident was an act of terrorism. Police said the incident remains under investigation.
Tagged
new york city
public safety
Charles Lane
Charles is a Day-of reporter focused on breaking news and enterprise. He’s very friendly and can be reached at [email protected], or more securely on whatsapp/signal 631-295-6715
Read more
Giulia Heyward
Giulia Heyward is a breaking news reporter on the Day-Of desk. She previously worked at NPR, as a breaking news reporter, and the New York Times, as a reporting fellow on the national desk. Her work has also appeared in CNN, The Atlantic and Politico. Got a tip? Email [email protected] or more securely on signal at 917-715-1458.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
NJ Gov. Sherrill: Election is secure, noncitizens taken off voter rolls
The governor made the comments in the October edition of "Ask Governor Sherrill" on WNYC.
By
Michael Sol Warren
Published Oct 27, 2026 at 7:42 p.m. ET
Modified Oct 27, 2026 at 11:14 p.m. ET
Ex-NYPD officer again faces murder charge in George Washington Bridge shooting
The charge against him was upgraded following an “extensive investigation,” the DA’s office said.
By
Samantha Max
News
Ex-NYPD officer again faces murder charge in George Washington Bridge shooting
The charge against him was upgraded following an “extensive investigation,” the DA’s office said.
By
Samantha Max
Former NYC buildings boss helped reopen mayor's favored restaurant despite health violations
By
David Brand
1 killed, 4 others injured at Elizabeth, NJ vigil shooting
By
Catalina Gonella
Police arrest man in Queens stabbings that ended with officer shooting woman
By
Ryan Kost
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .