Woman killed in Times Square stabbing, suspect shot dead by police

A 32-year-old woman has been killed and another victim is in hospital following a double stabbing in Times Square, New York late on Monday afternoon.

The suspect, a woman wielding two knives, was shot by police. All three people were taken to hospital, where the female victim and the suspect were later pronounced dead, Mayor Zohran Mamdani told a news conference.

The deceased victim was later identified as Erin Piacenti, a Bank of America employee. The male victim remains in a stable condition.

New York Police Department (NYPD) Commissioner Jessica Tisch described the attack as "unprovoked" and said the stabbings took place 20 seconds apart.

Citing preliminary information, Tisch said the NYPD call centre received several 911 calls at approximately 16:24 local time (21:00 BST) reporting a woman armed with two knives was stabbing people along Seventh Avenue in Times Square.

Police believe the incident began near West 41st Street and Seventh Ave, in Midtown Manhattan.

The suspect approached a man who had just exited the subway and was standing with his wife waiting to cross the street, Tisch told a news conference.

"A witness at the scene told investigators that he observed the subject remove two knives from a red Target bag before approaching the first victim.