Stabbing Incident in Times Square Raises Questions About Taser Effectiveness

A tragic incident in Times Square involved a stabbing spree by a woman wielding kitchen knives. She attacked two individuals, resulting in one fatality and one injury. New York City police officers attempted to subdue the attacker with Tasers during the standoff, which lasted about four minutes. Ultimately, they had to use firearms. The attacker, Pamela Cisneros, 49, succumbed to injuries after being transported to Bellevue Hospital.

The case has drawn attention to the reliability of Tasers. New York City Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch clarified that despite multiple Taser deployments, Cisneros continued to threaten officers, leading them to adopt lethal measures. She highlighted the suspect’s refusal to drop her weapons, stating, “I’m not dropping anything. I would rather kill both of you.”

Experts pointed to several factors affecting Taser performance. Steve Keller, a retired police sergeant, explained that connectivity and probe placement are crucial. Tasers aim to trigger involuntary muscle contractions via electrical pulses traveling through wires linked to barbed probes. Clothing and body composition, particularly obesity, can disrupt this connectivity, compromising effectiveness. Keller noted, “If one probe hits the person and the other misses, the Taser will not work.”

Dr. Marc Siegel, a Fox News medical analyst, supported these insights. He remarked, “Tasers are much more effective for muscle than fat because muscle conducts electricity much better.” He emphasized the challenge of finding conductive areas on obese individuals.

Mental health factors may also impact Taser responsiveness. Cisneros had a documented mental health history with the NYPD. Records show incidents in 2018 and 2019. This aspect underlines the importance of considering mental health in assessing defense tactics.

The incident has prompted inquiries into Taser effectiveness and the impact of physical and mental health on these devices. Melissa Rudy, Fox News Digital’s senior health editor, reported on these developments.