Bank of America vice president identified as victim in Times Square attack

What the report says

Bank of America has identified one of the victims in a stabbing attack in Times Square as Erin Piacenti, a vice president at the company. According to Al Jazeera’s report, Piacenti died from her injuries after the afternoon assault on Monday in the busy New York City pedestrian area. Reuters was cited as saying Bloomberg News first reported her identity on Tuesday.

Authorities had earlier said a woman attacked a 32-year-old woman and a 68-year-old man near West 42nd Street and Seventh Avenue around 4:30pm local time. Police said the suspect was shot dead at the scene after officers tried, but failed, to stop her with a Taser. The man survived and was reported to be in stable condition in hospital.

Bank of America said it was deeply saddened by the loss of its colleague and described her as a valued teammate. New York Police Department Commissioner Jessica Tisch said the attack appeared random and unprovoked. The incident drew attention because it happened in Times Square, one of New York’s most heavily trafficked tourist and commuter areas.

The report also noted the attack came weeks after a separate high-profile killing of a corporate executive in Midtown Manhattan, underscoring concerns about violence in parts of central New York City.