A woman was killed and another person injured in a stabbing incident in Times Square on Wednesday afternoon, after which the suspect was fatally shot by responding New York City police officers. The attack, described by officials as random and unprovoked, occurred late Wednesday afternoon.
New York Police Department (NYPD) Commissioner Jessica Tisch stated that the incident involved an "unprovoked double stabbing" that unfolded within approximately 20 seconds. The NYPD received multiple 911 calls around 4:24 p.m. local time, reporting a woman armed with two knives attacking people along Seventh Avenue, near West 41st Street.
According to preliminary information shared by Tisch, the suspect approached a man who had just exited the subway and was waiting to cross the street with his wife. A witness told investigators that the suspect retrieved two knives from a red Target bag before approaching the man and stabbing him in the right side of his abdomen. The 68-year-old victim, who is now in stable condition at Bellevue Hospital, was a random target, police said.
The suspect then attacked a 32-year-old woman. Both the suspect and the woman were transported to area hospitals, where they were later pronounced dead. The second victim sustained injuries and is currently in stable condition.
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani commended the NYPD officers for their swift actions, which he said prevented the "horrific attack from becoming even worse." Police indicated that the suspect had a history of mental health interactions with law enforcement.
Mamdani and Tisch provided these details during a news conference held at the scene of the incident. The suspect was identified as a woman wielding two knives, one larger than the other.
The incident led to a significant police presence in the heavily trafficked tourist area. Authorities are continuing their investigation into the events that transpired.