Fundraiser for Erin Piacenti’s Daughter Surpasses $600,000 Amid Investigation into Times Square Stabbing

Key points

• Erin Piacenti, a 32-year-old vice president at Bank of America, was fatally stabbed in Times Square on August 31, 2026, while walking to work after returning from maternity leave.
• The attacker, Pamela Cisneros, 49, also injured a 68-year-old man before refusing to drop two knives; police shot and killed her at the scene.
• A GoFundMe established for Piacenti’s daughter, Madison, has raised more than $600,000 from over 6,700 contributors as of September 3, 2026.
• New York City’s attorney general opened an investigation into the police shooting of Cisneros, as is protocol in officer-involved civilian deaths.
• Piacenti’s family requested privacy and asked the public to donate to the GoFundMe instead of sending other gifts.

Background

This incident follows the 2025 killing of Blackstone executive Wesley LePatner, which similarly disrupted Wall Street’s sense of security. Piacenti had previously worked at Davis Polk and attended the University of Pennsylvania and Fordham Law School. The attack occurred just over a year after the LePatner shooting, highlighting ongoing concerns about safety in midtown Manhattan.

How outlets are covering it

Business Insider and NBC New York report on the fundraising totals, with Business Insider citing over $600,000 and NBC New York noting over $500,000 as of Thursday afternoon, reflecting the rapid growth of the campaign. The New York Times focuses on the attacker’s background, noting that Cisneros’s father believed she had stabilized after a 2019 mental health crisis, while NBC New York highlights her documented mental health history since 2018. The Daily Pennsylvanian emphasizes Piacenti’s academic and extracurricular background at the University of Pennsylvania. All sources agree on the basic facts of the stabbing and the police response, but differ in emphasis: financial support for the victim’s family versus the legal and mental health context of the attacker.

Why it matters

The case underscores the vulnerability of public spaces in New York City and the emotional impact of random violence on high-profile professionals. The massive public response through fundraising reflects community solidarity, while the attorney general’s investigation raises questions about police conduct in high-profile incidents. The incident also revives discussions about mental health support and public safety in urban centers.

What to watch

The New York City attorney general’s investigation into the police shooting of Pamela Cisneros is expected to continue. The GoFundMe campaign will likely continue to receive donations as awareness grows. The 68-year-old victim is expected to survive, and authorities have not released his identity. There is no indication of a terror link, and the focus remains on the random nature of the attack.