Times Square Stabbing: 1 Dead, Police Shoot Attacker

A 49-year-old woman stabbed two pedestrians near One Times Square in New York City on Monday, August 31, 2026, killing a 32-year-old woman and injuring a 68-year-old man before police shot and killed her. The Times Square stabbing unfolded around 4:30 p.m. local time outside a New York Police Department substation, one of the most heavily policed and tourist-dense locations in Manhattan.

What happened during the Times Square stabbing?

According to the NYPD, the suspect pulled two kitchen knives from a shopping bag and attacked a 68-year-old man as he exited a subway station, stabbing him in the abdomen. Moments later, she stabbed a 32-year-old woman in the abdomen. Both victims appeared to have been chosen at random, and police said there was no immediate indication of terrorism. The wounded man was listed in stable condition, while the younger woman died at a hospital.

How did NYPD officers stop the attacker?

Officers from the Times Square substation surrounded the woman quickly. According to the Associated Press, around ten officers tried to persuade her to drop the knives. Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch said the suspect refused and told officers, I'm not dropping anything, I would rather kill both of you. When she advanced toward officers while swinging the knives, two officers fired and struck her. She was given CPR but died shortly afterward.

Suspect had documented mental health history, police say

The suspect, a 49-year-old woman from Queens, had a documented mental health history but no arrest record, the NYPD said. Mayor Zohran Mamdani expressed condolences and defended the officers' use of force. Their lives have been destroyed by what happened today. We will continue to support them in the coming hours, days and weeks, Mamdani said. He added that the officers' intervention prevented further victims. The case is likely to fuel ongoing debate about mental health crisis response in New York City.

Why Times Square is a high-risk, high-visibility location

Times Square draws an estimated 50 million visitors annually and sees roughly 330,000 pedestrians on an average day, according to tourism data. The attack occurred in front of the NYPD substation near One Times Square, where the annual New Year's Eve ball drop is held. Because it is among the world's busiest tourist intersections, it also has one of the highest concentrations of police officers in the city. The incident unfolded despite the heavy police presence in Times Square.

What are the implications for public safety in New York?

The fatal police shooting and the apparent random nature of the attack have renewed discussion about pedestrian safety and mental health intervention in crowded public spaces. Although police do not believe the Times Square stabbing was terrorism-related, the speed of the violence and the proximity to a police substation underscore the challenges of preventing knife attacks in open urban environments. Investigators closed part of Seventh Avenue and collected evidence from the bloodstained sidewalk as tourists watched from behind police tape. The response has been compared with earlier Times Square security incidents and may influence future deployment of uniformed and plainclothes officers.

Timeline of the Times Square stabbing

• 4:30 p.m. local time: suspect pulls knives from a shopping bag and stabs a 68-year-old man exiting the subway.
• Moments later: she stabs a 32-year-old woman in the abdomen.
• Within minutes: about ten officers surround the suspect and attempt de-escalation.
• Officer fires: the suspect advances with knives; two officers shoot her.
• Aftermath: the 32-year-old victim dies at the hospital; the suspect dies after CPR; the 68-year-old man is stable.

Frequently asked questions

Where did the Times Square stabbing happen?

The attack occurred on the sidewalk outside the NYPD substation near One Times Square at the intersection of Seventh Avenue and West 42nd Street.

Who were the victims in the Times Square stabbing?

A 32-year-old woman died at the hospital, and a 68-year-old man was stabbed in the abdomen and remained in stable condition.

Was the Times Square stabbing a terrorist attack?

No. The NYPD said there was no evidence of terrorism, and the victims appeared to have been chosen at random.

What happened to the suspect?

The 49-year-old female suspect was shot by two NYPD officers after she refused to drop two kitchen knives and advanced toward them. She died shortly after being given CPR.

Did the suspect have a mental health history?

Yes, police said the suspect had a documented mental health history but no prior arrest record.