A holiday shopping excursion turned harrowing when a 38-year-old tourist from Jurupa Valley, California, was stabbed at the Macy's Herald Square in New York City. The incident, which took place on Thursday, involved the woman being attacked while attending to her infant daughter in a department store restroom.
The victim, an employee of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, sustained a stab wound to the back and a slash on her arm. During the assault, her 10-month-old child fell from the changing table. The woman was quickly transported to a nearby hospital and is currently stable with expectations of recovery. Her daughter did not suffer any stab wounds.
Kerri Aherne, 43, from Tewksbury, Massachusetts, was arrested at the scene and faces charges including attempted murder, assault, weapon possession, and child endangerment. Police investigations reveal Aherne bought a knife from the store on the day of the attack. Shortly before the incident, Aherne had been released from a Manhattan psychiatric facility where she had been treated for over a year.
During questioning, Aherne indicated that she had been compelled to attack by "voices in her head." In a subsequent court appearance, she expressed her reluctance to return to psychiatric care, stating that past treatments were ineffective. The judge ordered her detention without bail, with her next court date set for December 17.
The stabbing has occurred against the backdrop of New York City's holiday season, which draws millions of tourists. Macy's Herald Square is a key attraction, with New York City Tourism + Conventions estimating around 8 million visitors between Thanksgiving and New Year's. NYC Tourism President Julie Coker highlighted the city's appeal during the season, despite the recent violent event raising public safety and mental health concerns.
The incident has sparked a broader debate around security measures in crowded tourist spots and the handling of mental health issues, especially following a high-profile attack involving a mother and child. Macy's has issued a statement emphasizing their commitment to customer and employee safety, deferring further comments to law enforcement.
As the city's festive attractions continue to draw visitors, the sobering occurrence serves as a reminder of the potential for violence even in the most frequented locations. The narrative of a mother's instinctive response to protect her child, as reported by the New York Post, captures the traumatic essence of the attack.
