California tourist stabbed while changing baby’s diaper in Macy’s Herald Square restroom; homeless woman charged with attempted murder
A California tourist was stabbed in an unprovoked attack while changing her baby’s diaper in a women’s restroom at Macy’s Herald Square in Manhattan; the 39‑year‑old off‑duty Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department employee was hospitalized and is in stable condition.
- Unprovoked attack: A woman was stabbed while changing her infant’s diaper on Macy’s seventh floor; the infant was not injured. (Sources: ABC News, 6ABC)
- Suspect arrested: 43‑year‑old Kerri Aherne of Tewksbury, Massachusetts, was arrested at the scene and charged with attempted murder and child endangerment. (Sources: ABC News, 6ABC, ABC3340)
- Active investigation: NYPD calls the assault unprovoked; investigators are reviewing surveillance and witness statements. (Source: ABC News)
The attack
Police say the assault occurred around 3 p.m. on a Thursday amid the holiday shopping rush when an unknown woman approached the victim from behind in a family restroom on Macy’s seventh floor and stabbed her multiple times in the back and arm. The victim had been leaning over to change her infant daughter’s diaper when the attack happened. (Sources: ABC News, ABC3340).
Witnesses and immediate response
Witnesses and the victim’s husband intervened; the husband — also an LASD employee — reportedly disarmed the suspect and held her until officers arrived. Emergency medical personnel transported the victim to Bellevue Hospital, where she was treated and listed in stable condition. The infant daughter was not physically harmed. (Sources: ABC News, 6ABC).
Suspect identity, arrest and charges
The Manhattan District Attorney’s Office identified the suspect as Kerri Aherne, 43, of Tewksbury, Massachusetts, who news reports described as homeless in New York. Police arrested Aherne at the scene; she was arraigned and ordered held without bail. Authorities charged her with attempted murder, two counts of assault, criminal possession of a weapon and endangering the welfare of a child because the infant was present. (Sources: ABC News, 6ABC, ABC3340).
Prior arrest and mental health context
Prosecutors noted a prior Massachusetts arrest of Aherne for threatening to kill U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren; reports say Aherne told authorities then she had been hospitalized for psychiatric problems. Officials have not alleged a hate‑crime motive in the Macy’s attack and described the assault as unprovoked, saying the motive remains under investigation. (Source: ABC News).
Victim and family details
Law enforcement in California confirmed the victim and her husband are both employees of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department and were visiting from Jurupa Valley in Riverside County. The LASD released employment confirmation but declined to provide further medical details beyond the victim’s stable status at a Manhattan hospital; the infant was unharmed. (Source: ABC News).
Macy’s and NYPD response
Macy’s issued a brief statement saying the company was “deeply saddened about the incident” and that customer and colleague safety is a top priority, directing further questions to local authorities. The NYPD called the assault unprovoked, said there was no prior interaction between suspect and victim, and said investigators are reviewing surveillance video and witness statements. (Source: 6ABC, ABC News).
Context, policy and public-safety implications
The incident highlights concerns about random violence in crowded public spaces, mental‑health resources and security in high‑traffic retail venues. Reporting that the suspect was homeless and had prior psychiatric contacts has prompted discussion of outreach and treatment models for people with serious mental illness and policies to reduce risks for both individuals in crisis and the public. Officials stress the investigation is ongoing. (Source: ABC News).
Legal status and next steps
Aherne was ordered held without bail after her arraignment. Further court proceedings, any competency evaluations, formal indictments or trial dates will follow filings by the Manhattan District Attorney’s office and the local court schedule. The NYPD continues to investigate and asks anyone with information to contact detectives. (Sources: ABC News, 6ABC).
Reporting and source notes
This article draws on initial police statements and reporting from national outlets. Key source reports include ABC News, 6ABC and ABC3340. Those outlets reported consistent core facts: the victim was stabbed while changing her baby’s diaper, the suspect was identified as Kerri Aherne and taken into custody, and police described the attack as unprovoked.
Implications for Los Angeles
Local impact: The victim and her husband are LASD employees from Jurupa Valley; the case may prompt local agencies to review travel-safety guidance for staff and families, coordinate support for affected employees and revisit outreach strategies for people with serious mental illness. Simple safety advice — staying aware in crowded spaces and traveling with companions when possible — may be emphasized.
“Authorities described the assault as unprovoked and said the motive remains under investigation.”
If requested, updates will be tracked including any indictments, competency evaluations or future court filings related to the Macy’s Herald Square stabbing.
