A knife-wielding individual was shot by New York City police officers in Times Square on Monday afternoon after allegedly stabbing two people, leaving all three in critical condition. The incident occurred around 4:30 p.m. near Seventh Avenue and 42nd Street, a busy intersection frequented by tourists.
Witnesses reported seeing a woman, whose identity has not been released, wielding a large knife and charging at NYPD officers. The confrontation, which took place in front of hundreds of onlookers, resulted in officers discharging their firearms. Videos circulating from the scene showed terrified tourists screaming as the event unfolded.
One witness told PIX11 that the individual appeared to be armed with two knives and was tased by officers before advancing toward them, prompting the police shooting. The witness stated the individual was shot twice. All three individuals involved—the suspect and the two victims—were transported to a hospital in critical condition, according to sources cited by the New York Post.
The New York City Police Department has asked the public to avoid the area as an investigation is underway. When reached for comment, an NYPD spokesperson stated there was "no further information at this time."
Investigators do not currently believe the incident is terror-related, sources told PIX11. This event follows a similar incident approximately two weeks prior, where NYPD officers fatally shot a man in the Lower East Side who was reportedly advancing toward them with a butcher's knife while officers responded to an assault call.