Officer‑involved shooting in New York City’s Times Square on Monday, 2026 – NYPD officers shot a woman who was brandishing two knives, killed her, and the attack had already resulted in one fatal stabbing and another wounded victim.

Gunfire erupts in Times Square after knife attack

In the middle of Times Square, New York City’s most frequented tourist hub, NYPD officers opened fire on a woman who was brandishing two large knives after she killed one person and wounded a second. Three shots were fired, and the woman collapsed on the street, death soon following.^[1][3][4]

Location and immediate surroundings

The shooting occurred just outside a New York Police Department substation adjacent to One Times Square, a building that hosts the city’s annual New Year’s Eve ball drop. The area was swarmed with emergency responders, and a large number of on‑lookers were caught on surveillance footage as the exchange unfolded.^[1]

Knife‑wielding attack

Video captured by bystanders shows the suspect holding a knife in each hand. According to eyewitness accounts, she attempted to stab passersby, fatally wounding one and injuring another before she confronted police officers. The footage also reveals the suspect’s exaggerated charge toward an officer, prompting immediate firearm use.^[2][3]

Police response

Before the shooting, officers deployed a Taser but the suspect continued to pose a threat. An NYPD spokesperson confirmed the use of a Taser in a post‑incident briefing, stating that the situation escalated quickly when the suspect began charging at police.^[3]

Ultimately, an NYPD officer fired three rounds as the woman approached, resulting in her death. The NYPD has classified the incident as a confirmed officer‑involved shooting and is continuing an investigation.^[3]

Victim status

The first victim, a passerby, was declared dead at the scene. The second victim, who suffered stab wounds to the arm, was transported to a hospital and remains in stable condition, according to a local news agency.^[1][3]

Administrative response

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani thanked the officers for preventing a potentially wider escalation. He stated that the police acted decisively to stop the attack and that the investigation into the suspect’s motives and background is ongoing.^[3]

The NYPD has indicated that the attack is not believed to be terror‑related, but the identity and motive of the attacker remain unclear as the investigation proceeds.^[3]