Who was Pamela Cisneros? Times Square stabbing suspect identified: ‘She had a history of mental health issues’

A woman named Pamela Cisneros was shot dead by police in Times Square after stabbing two people. Police in New York City shot and killed a woman on Monday after she stabbed two people in Times Square, said city officials during a press conference.Following a stabbing spree in Times Square, police fatally shot Pamela Cisneros, who attacked two victims. The male victim survived, while the female victim died.Jessica Tisch, the police commissioner of New York City, called the stabbings "random and unprovoked" actions committed by a woman with a history of mental health issues.Who was Pamela Cisneros?The suspect, named as 49-year-old Pamela Cisneros from Queens, brandished two knives while approaching a 68-year-old man in Times Square, stabbing him in the abdomen, according to Tisch. Shortly thereafter, she also stabbed a woman in the stomach.Shortly thereafter, law enforcement engaged with Cisneros in an attempt to halt her actions. According to authorities, they conversed with her for about four minutes, yet were unsuccessful in persuading her to relinquish her knives.Also Read: Tropical Storm Edouard expected to become hurricane before Texas landfall: Check map, flood watches and warningsTisch, who examined the body camera recordings of the event, said that Cisneros stated to the officers: “I’m not dropping anything, I would rather kill both of you.”Several officers attempted to incapacitate Cisneros using stun guns. However, she persisted in advancing towards them while wielding the knives. Subsequently, two officers discharged their service firearms at Cisneros. This incident was recorded on body cameras, as noted by Tisch.Several videos shared on social media showed Cisneros, dressed in a pink shirt, jeans, and carrying a crossbody purse, as she waved weapons in front of law enforcement and a large gathering of spectators. She was shot after she started limping toward the officers while holding the knives.Times Square stabbing: Status of victimsAll three people – Cisneros and the two victims of the stabbing – were transported to Bellevue Hospital, where both Cisneros and the female victim were declared deceased. The male victim is currently alive and in stable condition.According to the police, Cisneros had a documented history of mental illness, which included two previous incidents occurring in 2018 and 2019. She, however, had no history of arrest with the department.Both Tisch and Zohran Mamdani, the Mayor of New York City, supported the officers' use of lethal force, although an investigation will take place since it is customary for officer-involved shootings in New York.“Our thoughts, not only for those of us who are here right now, but of the entire city, are with the families of both of these victims. We know those families’ lives have been shattered by what took place today, and we will continue to hold them close as the hours and days and weeks continue from this moment,” Mamdani said.“I want to thank the NYPD officers who stepped in and prevented a horrific attack from becoming even worse. This is what the men and women of this department do every single day to keep this city safe,” the mayor continued.Times Square stabbing motive remains unclearAuthorities do not consider the incident to be related to terrorism, and the motive remains unclear.“This was an extraordinarily dangerous situation unfolding in the heart of Times Square, the Crossroads of the World, at any given moment, there are thousands of New Yorkers, commuters, tourists, families, workers, moving through these streets,” Tisch told reporters.Shweta Kukreti has over 8 years of experience in covering Indian and world politics. She joined the Hindustan Times in 2024 and is primarily assigned to the US desk. She currently works as Deputy Chief Content Producer and reports on a wide range of topics, including US politics, immigration issues (especially H-1B visa) and major global events. Shweta strongly emphasizes team operations, which encompasses monitoring news, delegating tasks, editing, developing comprehensive coverage strategies, and crafting engaging, and data-informed narratives. She received the Digi Star Award at the Hindustan Times within a year of joining for her broad coverage of US politics. In 2025, she earned both a promotion and a redesignation, a significant achievement recognising her contributions and the strong value she brings to the team. She has previously worked with the Indian Express, HTDS, ANI and Republic World. Seniors in all the media organisations recognised her work. Regarding education, she earned a BA (Hons.) in Political Science and a master's degree from Delhi University, and she pursued a PG Diploma in English Journalism from the Indian Institution of Mass Communication (IIMC). She also holds a diploma in Women's Empowerment and Development from IGNOU University and a French certification course from Alliance Française de Delhi. If not working, you can find her exploring the hills and engaging in adventurous activities in Rishikesh and Himachal Pradesh. She loves to play badminton, volleyball, and chess, and spend time with her friends and family. She also enjoys spiritual activities.Read More