A holiday shopping trip turned violent Thursday afternoon after a woman visiting New York City was stabbed multiple times inside Macy’s flagship store in Herald Square, police said.
The 38-year-old tourist from California was inside a restroom on the seventh floor of the busy Midtown department store when she was attacked shortly after 3 p.m., according to authorities. The suspect allegedly stabbed her in the back and upper body before fleeing the area.
The victim, who was shopping with her husband during the peak holiday season, sustained multiple stab wounds and a cut on her arm. She was rushed to Bellevue Hospital, where she was reported to be in stable condition.
Law enforcement sources said a female person of interest was later taken into custody. Investigators believe the suspect is a homeless woman in her early 40s, though no formal charges had been filed as of Thursday night.
Macy’s, which draws massive crowds in December, said it is cooperating with authorities as the investigation continues.
“We are deeply saddened by the incident, and the safety of our customers and colleagues remains our top priority,” a company spokesperson said in a statement.
Police continue to investigate the motive behind the attack.