Knife attack in Times Square: two dead, one person in critical condition; police shoot suspected attacker

Two people have died, while another is in critical condition following a knife attack in New York.

The suspect is a 49-year-old woman who allegedly stabbed two people within approximately 20 seconds.

According to preliminary information, the first victim was a 68-year-old man who was stabbed in the abdomen just after exiting a subway station and while waiting to cross the street. The woman then allegedly inflicted fatal abdominal wounds on a 32-year-old woman.

The incident occurred at around 4:30 p.m. in one of New York’s busiest areas.

After the attack, the 49-year-old woman headed toward the area where a New York Police Department, or NYPD, substation is located. There, officers spotted her holding a knife and waving it in their direction.

Videos shared on social media show dramatic scenes near the crime scene, where dozens of passers-by were present. In the footage, the woman is seen wearing a pink shirt, jeans and a bag while holding the knife and approaching the police officers.

At first, police tried to stop her with a Taser. But according to authorities, she removed the probes and continued confronting the officers.

One of the officers opened fire when the woman began moving toward them with the knife pointed at the officers.

After the shooting, the officers immediately approached her to provide first aid.

New York Police Chief Jessica Tisch said officers had communicated with the woman for about four minutes, repeatedly asking her to drop the knife, but she did not comply with their orders.

Authorities are continuing their investigation to clarify the full circumstances and motives behind the attack.