Times Square stabbing in NYC leaves 1 dead, assailant killed
A woman armed with two kitchen knives killed one person and wounded another in New York City's Times Square before police fatally shot her. Authorities said the attack was random and unprovoked.
A stabbing incident occurred in New York City's Times Square on Monday afternoon, leaving one person dead and another fatally wounded, before law enforcement fatally shot the assailant, officials announced. The attack took place near a police substation outside One Times Square, the iconic structure renowned for its New Year's Eve ball drop.
Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch revealed that the 49-year-old suspect, hailing from Queens, brandished two kitchen knives from a shopping bag, stabbing a 68-year-old man in the abdomen as he exited a subway station with his wife. She then proceeded to attack a 32-year-old woman, fatally wounding her in the abdomen. Both victims were rushed to the hospital; the younger woman succumbed to her injuries, while the older man is currently stable.
Officers surrounded the suspect, attempting to disarm her through a Taser, but these efforts were unsuccessful. The suspect reportedly defiantly declared, "I'm not dropping anything, I would rather kill both of you," before advancing towards the officers with the knives raised. Multiple officers subsequently opened fire, resulting in her demise.
New York City Police Commissioner Tisch described the scene as "an extraordinarily dangerous situation unfolding in the heart of Times Square, the crossroads of the world." She emphasized that the attack was random and unprovoked. Tisch disclosed that the suspect had a documented history of mental health-related encounters with police, including incidents in 2018 and 2019, but no prior arrests.
Preliminary investigations suggest the incident was not terrorism-related. Mayor Zohran Mamdani addressed a news conference, expressing deep sorrow for the families affected, vowing to support them as they grapple with this tragic event. Both Mamdani and Tisch praised the responding officers, crediting their actions for potentially averting further casualties.
This marks the second fatal stabbing in Times Square this year, following a similar incident in May. Despite the surge in such incidents, New York City's overall homicide rate has plummeted to one of its lowest in decades.
Written by urgent.news from DW English (Top Stories)'s reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
This story
This is one outlet's version. Read the fullest account.
