A Bank of America vice president, Erin Piacenti, was killed in a stabbing at Times Square on Monday. The incident has sent shockwaves through the corporate and local communities, drawing widespread attention from law enforcement and city officials.
"We are shocked and deeply saddened by the tragic loss of our colleague. She was a valued teammate who will be greatly missed. Our hearts go out to her family and all of her loved ones," the US banking giant said in an emailed statement following the violent encounter.
Piacenti, a vice president of business selection and conflicts at the bank, died at the hospital from her stabbing injuries, according to a Bloomberg News report. Her sudden death has prompted heartfelt tributes from colleagues and banking industry leaders alike.
New York City officials said on Monday in a press briefing that a woman carrying multiple knives stabbed two people in Times Square before police used a taser and fired their weapons. NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch also added the attacks appeared random and unprovoked, and that officers fired after tasers failed to stop the woman from advancing toward them with knives.