Stabbing Incident in Times Square Leaves One Dead, One Injured
One person has died and another has been injured following a violent attack in Times Square. The incident occurred last Monday when a woman, identified as Pamela Cisneros, 49, allegedly attacked two people with kitchen knives. Tragically, a 32-year-old woman was killed, while a 68-year-old man sustained injuries.
Authorities responded quickly, but their efforts to subdue Cisneros with Tasers were ineffective during the standoff, which lasted about four minutes. New York City Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch explained at a press conference that despite multiple attempts to use Tasers, Cisneros kept advancing towards officers while armed with the knives. During this standoff, she reportedly threatened the officers, saying, “I’m not dropping anything. I would rather kill both of you.”
As the situation escalated, two officers took action and shot Cisneros, who was later pronounced dead at Bellevue Hospital.
The incident has raised questions about the effectiveness of Tasers in restraining individuals during such confrontational situations. Experts suggest various factors can impact the success of using a Taser, including clothing, drug use, and, potentially, the body composition of the person being targeted.
Former police sergeant Steve Keller pointed out that if the probes of the Taser do not connect properly—perhaps due to layers of fat or thick clothing—it may not work as intended. He mentioned that the muscle mass of a person plays a significant role, as muscle conducts electricity better than fat.
Additionally, mental health issues could complicate the effectiveness of Tasers, which is highlighted by the fact that Cisneros had a documented mental health history with the NYPD.
Medical experts have echoed these sentiments, suggesting that Tasers generally work more effectively on individuals with higher muscle mass since muscle conducts electricity better than fat.
Authorities, including the NYPD and health organizations, have been approached for further comments on the incident and the discussion surrounding Taser efficacy.
