Woman Stabs and Kills Bank of America Executive in Times Square

A corporate Bank of America executive was stabbed to death in Times Square by a mentally ill woman who was shot and killed by police. Officials said the attack was random and unprovoked.

The Details: Pamela Cisneros, 42, stabbed Erin Piacenti, 32, who worked as a vice president in BoA's business selection and conflicts unit, and an unnamed 68-year-old man, who survived and was hospitalized. Cisneros, armed with two knives, reportedly refused to drop her weapons and told police she would kill them before she was neutralized by the NYPD.

Witness Accounts: New York Daily News (Left bias) reported speaking to the male victim's wife, who said, "We have no idea what happened. She just came from nowhere. She had lost her mind already, holding the knives." Linda Ruiz, 58, said, "I saw a guy bleeding profusely… He was gushing blood, saying, 'I need help. Help me.' I went to get a cop on the corner."

Cisnero Family's Account: The New York Times (Lean Left) said it spoke to Cisnero's father Mario in Spanish and reported that she has had "serious mental health problems" for decades. Her family reportedly intervened after she tried jumping in front of a train in 2019. Mario said he thought she had turned a corner recently. In April, she refused a ride to a mental health appointment, telling him not to worry and later that she did not want to have to depend on medicine to feel normal. Mario said the family "tried to help her in every way possible." He also expressed remorse for his daughter's actions and said, "What she did just doesn't make sense. It just doesn't fit. I am so sorry, as her father. Nobody should take a life. Not God, not a human being. Nobody."

Sympathetic Framing: The New York Times' September 2 reporting stood out in how it framed Cisneros sympathetically. In addition to her father's commentary, it spoke to her building manager of five years, who said, "Literally she said hello and goodbye, paid the rent on time. Never had a problem with her. I never heard a peep out of her." It also reported seeing screenshots of text messages she had sent her daughters, wishing them a Happy Thanksgiving, Merry Christmas, and Happy New Year. In one message she said, "Remember that mommy will always be here for you and your sisters. I love and miss you." The Times said Cisnero's messages went unanswered.

Conversely, The Daily Mail (Lean Right) published coverage on September 2 that framed the victim, Piacenti, sympathetically. It noted that she was on her way home from work and briefly stopped in front of a clothing vendor when she was killed. It also highlighted that she was a "beautiful" new mother, married for two years, and just posted a photo of her husband and daughter on social media four days before her death.

Written by the AllSides staff (of humans). Learn more. Support our mission. Suggest an improvement to this summary.