New York Attorney General Letitia James is facing criticism after initiating a mandatory investigation into the police shooting of a woman involved in the fatal stabbing of Erin Piacenti. Piacenti, a Bank of America executive, had just returned to work from maternity leave when the incident occurred in Times Square.
James’ office announced the investigation into Pamela Cisneros’ death. Cisneros, armed with two large knives, did not comply when officers ordered her to drop the weapons and was shot as she advanced towards them. Under state law, the Attorney General’s Office of Special Investigation must probe all deaths stemming from police actions.
Cisneros, previously involved in mental health incidents, had no arrest record before the fatal encounter.
Republican Attorney General candidate Saritha Komatireddy argues the investigation misses the underlying issue. She suggests steps to prevent attacks by individuals with known mental instability. Komatireddy emphasized the danger posed by individuals with documented mental illness known to police, yet lacking effective measures to manage them.
A campaign spokesperson for James criticized Komatireddy for leveraging the tragedy for political gain, stating Komatireddy lacks understanding of the law mandating investigation of incidents involving police actions resulting in death.
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani commended officers for preventing further harm, despite his history of anti-police rhetoric. Mamdani’s praise highlights the complex discussions around policing and mental health crises.
Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch revealed Cisneros had two prior encounters with police due to mental health crises, though no arrest record. Cisneros attempted suicide in 2019 and exhibited aggressive behavior in 2018, both times receiving hospital care.
The state’s Mental Hygiene Law allows for temporary hospitalization of individuals posing a risk to themselves or others, yet mental health patients are frequently released back onto the streets shortly after being brought in.
Komatireddy proposes establishing the Office of Civil Commitment, staffed by law enforcement and physicians, to better handle potential threats from those with severe mental illness.
Greene County Sheriff Peter Kusminsky expressed concerns over his deputies’ lack of psychiatric crisis training and the scarcity of treatment facilities. Mental health calls divert resources from patrol duties, forcing deputies to house individuals in hotels due to the unavailability of hospital beds.
Komatireddy stressed that current facilities like hotels and motels lack necessary treatments and urged state intervention to provide adequate care.