Full Breakdown
GoFundMe Campaign Surpasses Goal After Times Square Stabbing
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Fatal Stabbing and Immediate Aftermath
In late August, Erin Piacenti, a 32-year-old vice president in Bank of America’s business-selection and conflicts division, was fatally stabbed in the abdomen while returning to work after maternity leave. The attack occurred moments after another assailant, Pamela Cisneros, 49, stabbed 68-year-old Tak Kam, who survived after treatment at Bellevue Hospital. NYPD officers intercepted Cisneros, ordered her to drop two knives, and shot her dead when she charged. The NYPD Force Investigation Division continues to examine the incident.
Fundraising Response and Financial Progress
A GoFundMe page created by a family member quickly gathered donations to support Piacenti’s five-month-old daughter, Madison. The campaign initially targeted $750,000; by mid-September contributions had reached $1.08 million, prompting a new goal of $1.2 million. Corporate donors—including Bloomingdale’s, the Rockefeller Group, and Major League Baseball—each contributed $5,000, and an anonymous donor gave $50,000 in early September. The fundraiser’s stated purpose is to provide long-term care for Madison and to honor her mother’s memory.
Background of the Family and Relocation Plans
Erin and her husband, Frank Piacenti, met while studying at Fordham Law School and both practiced as attorneys. After Madison’s birth, the couple purchased a home in Chester, New Jersey, a suburb about 40 miles west of New York City, and moved there shortly before Madison’s first birthday. The family had been preparing to build a life together in the new residence.
Official Statements and Ongoing Investigation
A family spokesperson told PEOPLE that the Piacenti and Guiltinan families are “devastated” and request privacy, while also expressing gratitude for the public’s support. NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch noted that Cisneros had a documented mental-health history with the department, citing incidents in 2019 (public intoxication) and 2020 (possible suicide attempt). The NYPD Force Investigation Division remains the lead agency reviewing the shooting and the preceding stabbing.
Broader Impact and Community Support
The campaign’s rapid success reflects widespread public empathy for the tragedy and highlights community willingness to aid families affected by random violence. Corporate contributions and a sizable anonymous gift underscore a broader societal response that extends beyond individual grief, aiming to secure Madison’s future despite the loss of her mother.