California tourist stabbed while changing baby at Macy’s Herald Square; homeless woman arrested, charged with attempted murder
A 39-year-old California tourist and Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department employee was stabbed multiple times in the back while changing her 10‑month‑old at Macy’s Herald Square on Dec. 11, 2025; the infant was unharmed and a suspect has been arrested.
Key takeaways
- Date/location: Dec. 11, 2025, ~3:15 p.m., Macy’s Herald Square, seventh‑floor women’s restroom — FOX11/FOXLA.
- Victim: 39‑year‑old female tourist from Jurupa Valley, LASD employee; multiple stab wounds, treated at NYC Health + Hospitals/Bellevue; infant (10 months) unharmed — FOX11/FOXLA and The National News Desk via CBS Austin.
- Suspect & charges: 43‑year‑old Kerri Aherne of Tewksbury, Massachusetts (described as homeless); charged with attempted murder, two counts of assault, criminal possession of a weapon and endangering the welfare of a child — FOX11/FOXLA.
What happened
Police say the attack was unprovoked. According to NYPD accounts cited in media reports, the victim was changing her 10‑month‑old daughter inside the women’s restroom on Macy’s seventh floor when a stranger stabbed her multiple times in the back and caused a laceration to her left arm during a busy holiday shopping period.
NYPD responded to a 911 call reporting an assault in progress and found the victim with multiple stab wounds. Emergency medical services transported her to Bellevue Hospital in stable condition; the infant was not injured. The attack has been classified by police as an attempted murder investigation. Sources: FOX11/FOXLA and The National News Desk via CBS Austin.
Victim and suspect background
Multiple reports identified the injured woman as a 39‑year‑old visiting New York from Jurupa Valley in Riverside County, California. The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department confirmed the victim and her husband are LASD employees and said NYPD is leading the investigation; LASD deferred additional comment to New York authorities. FOX11/FOXLA.
The suspect was identified by NYPD as 43‑year‑old Kerri Aherne of Tewksbury, Massachusetts, and was described in media reports as homeless. Authorities reported no known prior contact between Aherne and the victim. After the assault, the victim’s husband reportedly disarmed Aherne and held her until police arrived, an account cited in local coverage and national reporting. Sources: FOX11/FOXLA and The National News Desk via CBS Austin.
Charges and investigation
NYPD and the Deputy Commissioner of Public Information say Aherne faces several felony counts, including attempted murder, two counts of assault, criminal possession of a weapon and endangering the welfare of a child. The investigation is active as police seek a motive and details about Aherne’s recent movements or state of mind. Authorities have not publicly released a motive or the victim’s name. FOX11/FOXLA.
Statements from law enforcement and Macy’s
“The company is deeply saddened by the incident,” a Macy’s spokesperson said, adding that customer and employee safety is a top priority.
NYPD confirmed officers responded to a 911 call at Macy’s Herald Square, near Herald Square and Penn Station. LASD acknowledged the victim and her significant other are LASD employees and said NYPD is the lead investigative agency, deferring further comment to New York investigators. FOX11/FOXLA.
Context: holiday crowds, flagship store and public safety
The assault occurred inside Macy’s Herald Square, an iconic flagship store and major tourist destination in Midtown Manhattan, during the holiday shopping rush when foot traffic is high. Media reports emphasize the rarity of violent attacks inside the store itself and the heightened public concern that follows such incidents. Shoppers and parents may expect clearer safety measures and communication from store management and police. Sources: FOX11/FOXLA and The National News Desk via CBS Austin.
Policy implications: The case raises questions about retail security, law enforcement coordination when out‑of‑state victims are involved, homelessness and mental health outreach, travel safety for tourists, and criminal justice proceedings when defendants are described as homeless or mentally ill.
Ongoing reporting
NYPD remains the lead agency. Reporters and officials are expected to update the public on motive, the suspect’s background and any security changes at Macy’s Herald Square as authorities release more details. Full source reports are available at FOX11/FOXLA and The National News Desk via CBS Austin.
Reporting by Times Media Service — sources: FOX11/FOXLA and The National News Desk via CBS Austin.
