A Bank of America (BAC.N) vice president was killed in a stabbing in New York City’s Times Square, the second-biggest U.S. lender said on Tuesday, a random incident that took place in broad daylight in the heart of the city’s tourist industry.
The incident brought the streets of the area in Midtown Manhattan to a halt on Monday as emergency vehicles swarmed between the skyscrapers.
The deceased was Erin Piacenti, 32, according to the New York City Police.
Bank of America has confirmed the loss of a staff member and an internal memo seen by Reuters confirmed her identity.
Piacenti was a vice president in BofA’s business selection and conflicts unit, according to her LinkedIn profile.
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“We are shocked and deeply saddened by the tragic loss of our colleague.
She was a valued teammate who will be greatly missed. Our hearts go out to her family and all of her loved ones,” the U.S. banking giant said in an emailed statement to Reuters on Tuesday.
BofA’s Manhattan office is located a stone’s throw from Times Square at One Bryant Park.
An unnamed 68-year-old man also suffered stab wounds in the attack and was in stable condition, the NYPD said in a statement.
NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch said the attack, which took place on Monday around 4:24 p.m. ET in the vicinity of West 42 Street and Seventh Avenue, appeared to be random and unprovoked.
The NYPD said when officers arrived on the scene they found Pamela Cisneros, a 49-year-old woman, who was brandishing two large knives and advanced toward officers.
Officers shot Cisneros, and she was later pronounced dead. Tisch said Cisneros had a documented mental health history.
