Filmmaker Lexi Alexander faces backlash for praising Times Square stabbing

Erin Piacenti, a 32-year-old vice president at Bank of America, was stabbed to death in a random attack near Times Square, after which the assailant was killed by police. Filmmaker Lexi Alexander posted a meme that identified Piacenti’s employer and added commentary implying that Israeli “bots” were influencing the narrative, while also sharing an article about Bank of America’s investment recommendations in Israeli banks.

The post quickly garnered close to 400,000 views and provoked a flood of angry responses condemning Alexander for appearing to celebrate the victim’s death. Alexander, a German-born former world kickboxing champion and Oscar-nominated director, has previously been outspoken about Israel’s conduct in Gaza. Bank of America released a statement mourning Piacenti’s loss and offering condolences to her family. Alexander’s publicist has not provided a response to inquiries.