New York City, NY – What was meant to be a family shopping trip turned into a horrifying ordeal after a Southern California mother was repeatedly stabbed by a stranger inside a busy New York City department store, authorities confirmed.
The shocking incident unfolded in broad daylight at one of the city’s most iconic retail locations, leaving witnesses shaken and raising renewed concerns about public safety.
Violent Attack Inside Landmark Macy’s Store
The victim, identified only as a 38-year-old mother from Jurupa Valley, California, was visiting Macy’s on West 34th Street with her boyfriend and their 9-month-old daughter on December 11. According to police, the family had been shopping when the woman went into the store’s restroom to change her infant’s diaper.
At approximately 3 p.m., officials say an unknown woman entered the restroom and launched a sudden, unprovoked stabbing attack. The victim was struck multiple times, suffering stab wounds to her back and a deep laceration to her arm.
Authorities emphasized that the attack appeared to be random, with no prior interaction between the suspect and the victim.
Boyfriend Intervenes and Stops the Assault
The victim’s boyfriend, who was waiting just outside the restroom, heard her screaming for help and immediately rushed inside. Police said he was able to disarm the attacker, wrestle her to the ground, and hold her until officers arrived.
Despite the chaos and violence, officials confirmed that the couple’s infant daughter, who fell to the floor during the incident, was not injured.
Responding officers with the New York Police Department (NYPD) quickly took the suspect into custody at the scene.
Emergency responders transported the injured mother to a nearby hospital, where she was treated for multiple stab wounds. Authorities confirmed she was listed in stable condition and is expected to survive.
Suspect Identified and Arrested at Scene
Police identified the suspect as Kerri Aherne, 43, of Massachusetts. Investigators stated that Aherne and the victim did not know each other, further reinforcing that the incident was a random act of violence.
Court officials revealed that Aherne allegedly told authorities she had been hearing voices instructing her to kill someone. Officials also confirmed that she had recently been released from a psychiatric hospital, where she had reportedly been receiving treatment for more than a year.
Serious Criminal Charges Filed
Aherne now faces a list of serious felony charges, including:
- Attempted murder
- Child endangerment
- Criminal possession of a weapon
Prosecutors are expected to argue that the presence of the infant during the stabbing significantly escalated the severity of the case.
Victims Identified as LA County Sheriff’s Employees
Authorities later confirmed that both the victim and her boyfriend are employees of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department. The woman works as a custody assistant, while her boyfriend serves as a deputy sheriff.
In a statement, Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna expressed support for the family, saying:
“My thoughts and prayers are with my employees and their family during this very traumatic event. I am grateful that they are safe and receiving the care and support they need. I want to thank the NYPD first responders who acted swiftly to bring the suspect into custody.”
Macy’s Responds to the Incident
A spokesperson for Macy’s issued a statement following the attack, emphasizing the company’s commitment to customer safety.
“We are deeply saddened about the incident that took place today as the safety of our customers and colleagues is our top priority,” the spokesperson told PIX11 News.
The retailer confirmed it is cooperating fully with law enforcement as the investigation continues.
Should more security measures be required in major retail stores and tourist areas? Share your thoughts in the comments and let us know how incidents like this can be prevented in the future.
