The Dark Side of Urban Renewal: A Tragic Reminder of New York's Unseen Strains The streets of Times Square are always bustling, but on Monday afternoon the usual chaos was marred by an unspeakable tragedy: the stabbing death of Erin Piacenti, a 32 year old vice president at Bank of America, and the wounding of a 68 year old man.
The attack, committed by 49 year old Pamela Cisneros with a history of mental health issues, has left New Yorkers grappling with a disturbing question: what drives someone to commit such a heinous act in one of the world's most iconic public spaces?
Piacenti's killing serves as a stark reminder that even in the midst of urban renewal and gentrification, the city's underbelly remains raw and unaddressed.