A tragic incident unfolded in Times Square when a woman armed with kitchen knives reportedly stabbed two individuals, resulting in one fatality and another injury. NYPD officers deployed tasers but eventually had to resort to firing at the suspect, Pamela Cisneros, 49, after taser attempts proved ineffective.
Despite multiple attempts to subdue Cisneros with tasers during the approximately four-minute standoff, she continued to advance with the knives, according to New York City Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch. The situation escalated when Cisneros refused to disarm, declaring her intention to harm the officers. Subsequently, police officers opened fire, resulting in her death at Bellevue Hospital.
The incident prompted discussions on the reasons tasers sometimes fail. Factors such as obesity, clothing, and improper probe placement can influence a taser’s effectiveness. According to Axon, taser probes need to make contact at least 12 inches apart to trigger neuromuscular incapacitation (NMI). Officers aim for large muscle masses, typically the back and thighs, to maximize effectiveness.
Steve Keller, a retired police sergeant, explained that body composition, like a high level of body fat, can impede connectivity between probes. Keller noted that if one probe misses or fails to make proper contact, the taser may not work effectively. The issue becomes more complicated if clothing or other barriers interfere with connectivity.
Cisneros’ mental health history with the NYPD added another layer to the incident. Tisch mentioned previous interactions in 2018 and 2019 involving her mental health issues.
Dr. Marc Siegel, Fox News senior medical analyst, reinforced that muscle conducts electricity better than fat, affecting a taser’s functionality in individuals with obesity. He emphasized the difficulty of finding conductive areas in such cases.
Fox News Digital reached out to Axon and relevant organizations for comments on the challenges faced by law enforcement in similar confrontations. The incident remains a focal point for assessing taser applications in arrest situations.