Bank of America Vice President Killed in Knife Attack in New York

Bank of America Vice President Erin Piachenti died on Monday, August 31, as a result of a street attack near Times Square in New York City. A woman armed with knives injured the high-ranking Bank of America executive near the bank’s office; Piacenti died in the hospital from her injuries, Bloomberg reported, citing the New York Police Department. One other person was injured in the attack, and the assailant herself was shot and killed by police.

Piacenti worked at Bank of America reviewing new transactions and potential conflicts of interest, according to Bloomberg. “We are shocked and deeply saddened by the tragic death of our colleague,” reads a statement from a Bank of America spokesperson quoted by the news agency. “She was a valued member of our team, and we will miss her dearly. We extend our deepest condolences to her family and all her loved ones.”

At around 4:30 p.m. local time on Monday, 49-year-old Pamela Cisneros, armed with two knives, first approached a 68-year-old tourist from Rhode Island near the intersection of West 41st Street and Seventh Avenue and stabbed him, Bloomberg reported, citing New York City Police Commissioner Jessica Tish. The victim was hospitalized. Sisneros then continued down Seventh Avenue and, about 20 seconds later, stabbed Piacenti near 42nd Street, Tish said.

Police caught up with Sisneros between West 42nd and 43rd Streets, while she was still holding both knives. The police tried to convince the woman to drop her weapons. She refused to surrender and, according to video footage, began moving toward the officers with the knives pointed at them. The officers first used stun guns, and when that didn’t work, they opened fire and wounded Cisneros. She was taken to the hospital but did not survive, according to Bloomberg.

According to Tish, Cisneros had not previously been detained by the New York Police Department; however, department records show two prior encounters with her related to a mental health condition—in 2018 and 2019. Investigators have no reason to believe the attack was a terrorist act, she added.

This article was AI-translated and verified by a human editor