> At a Glance
> – Kerri Aherne, 43, indicted on second-degree attempted murder and first-degree attempted assault
> – Allegedly stabbed a California tourist changing her baby’s diaper inside Macy’s Herald Square
> – Released from a year-long psychiatric stay the same morning as the Dec. 11 attack
> – Why it matters: The unprovoked attack raises safety concerns for millions of holiday shoppers in NYC’s busiest store
A tourist from California was stabbed inside Macy’s flagship Herald Square store after a Massachusetts woman with a documented history of mental illness purchased a knife and allegedly launched an unprovoked attack while the victim was changing her baby’s diaper.
The Attack
Prosecutors say Kerri Aherne bought a knife inside the store on Dec. 11, 2025, then approached the 39-year-old mother from behind in a seventh-floor bathroom and stabbed her in the back.
The victim’s 10-month-old baby fell from the changing table onto the floor during the struggle. The woman sustained:
- Two stab wounds to her back
- Cuts on her arm and hand requiring stitches
Indictment and Court Proceedings
A Manhattan grand jury returned a four-count indictment:
- Second-degree attempted murder
- First-degree attempted assault
- Second-degree assault
- Endangering the welfare of a child
Defense attorney Kevin Sylvan told reporters he is still gathering information about Aherne’s psychiatric history:
> “I do have to get some more information myself. We’re collecting it through my investigator and other staff people, and we have to talk with other medical professionals who’ve been treating her in the past.”
Safety Concerns
Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg Jr. emphasized the broader implications:
> “The thousands of families that visit Manhattan during the holiday season deserve to be safe while shopping and celebrating with their loved ones. This tourist was attacked inside one of the city’s largest and most frequented department stores, posing public safety implications for employees, visitors, and New Yorkers alike.”
Timeline of Events
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| Dec. 11, 2025 | Aherne released from psychiatric ward |
| Same day | Purchased knife inside Macy’s |
| Afternoon | Allegedly stabbed tourist in bathroom |
| Jan. 7, 2026 | Indicted and pleaded not guilty |
| Feb. 11, 2026 | Next court date scheduled |
Key Takeaways
- The victim managed to wrestle the knife away and throw it across the bathroom
- Store security and the victim’s boyfriend restrained Aherne until police arrived
- The California tourist’s identity has not been released by authorities
- Aherne is being held and will return to court in February
The case highlights ongoing concerns about mental health support and public safety in high-traffic retail areas during peak tourism seasons.
