Bank of America vice-president named as woman killed in Times Square stabbing

Ms Piacenti had returned to work from her maternity leave on the same week she was killed.

Just four days earlier, she had posted a photo of herself on social media holding her newborn daughter and standing, beaming, next to her husband, as first reported by The New York Times.

She wrote how she was grateful to have spent the last five months of maternity leave and how her daughter had just been baptised.

She is one of two stabbed on Monday's shock stabbing, with 49-year-old Pamela Cisneros suspected of carrying out the attack.

Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch said the attack - at 4.24pm ET (9.24pm BST) near West 42 Street and Seventh avenue - seemed to be random and unprovoked.

Officers shot Cisneros, who had a documented mental health history according to the police commissioner, and she was later pronounced dead at hospital.

An unnamed 68-year-old man was also stabbed and is now in stable condition, according to an NYPD statement.

Ms Piacenti and husband, Frank, lived together in Chester, New Jersey, and both were "cherished" graduates from Fordham Law in 2021, a spokeswoman from the university said,

"During this devastating time, our thoughts, prayers, and deepest sympathies are with Frank, their families, and all who knew and loved Erin," the university added.

BofA confirmed the loss of a staff member and an internal memo seen by Reuters confirmed her identity.

According to her LinkedIn profile, she was a vice president in the bank's business selection and conflicts unit.

"We are ⁠shocked and deeply saddened by the tragic loss of our colleague," the US banking giant said in a statement.

"She was a valued teammate who will be greatly missed. Our hearts go out to her family and all of her loved ones."

The bank's Manhattan office is located just a stone's throw from Times Square at One Bryant Park.

In an internal memo, Ms Piacenti was described as a "cherished teammate and friend" by Bank of America's president of Global Corporate & Investment Banking Matthew Koder.

"Erin was a valued member of the Business Selection and Conflicts team, having joined the bank 18 months ago," he added.

"Her loss is being felt deeply by many."

The bank's security teams were now assisting the police investigation and "addressing the ongoing safety and security of our offices and teammates".

The attack, in broad daylight, was witnessed by a number of onlookers.

Aliou Diaye, a 62-year-old street vendor, told The New York Times Cisneros did not "say nothing" and "stabbed her in the stomach" as she walked near to Ms Piacenti.

Police surrounded Cisneros and shot her with Taser darts, which were "ineffective" as she erratically waved her knives and rushed a police officer, who shot her dead.

Mayor Zohran Mamdani said he was "deeply saddened" by the stabbing in his Monday press conference.