Analysis of Taser Effectiveness in Standoff Incident

<p>Multiple Taser deployments failed to stop Pamela Cisneros, 49, during a roughly four-minute standoff in Times Square on September 4, 2026, after she allegedly stabbed two people. The attack resulted in the death of a 32-year-old woman and left a 68-year-old man wounded.</p><p>New York City Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch stated in a news conference that evening, "As multiple officers discharged Tasers, which proved to be ineffective, the subject continued to advance toward our officers with the knives."</p><p>When the Tasers did not subdue Cisneros, who reportedly said, "I’m not dropping anything. I would rather kill both of you," two officers opened fire, striking her. She was taken to Bellevue Hospital, where she was pronounced dead.</p><p>The incident raised questions about the effectiveness of Tasers and whether factors such as obesity or body composition can impede their performance.</p><p>A standard Taser is designed to fire two small, barbed probes connected to the device by insulated, conductive wires, according to Axon, the manufacturer. "Electrical pulses travel along those wires and into the body, triggering involuntary muscle contractions," Axon’s website states. "For neuromuscular incapacitation (NMI) to occur, it is best that two probes make contact 12 inches (30 cm) or more apart."</p><p>Steve Keller, a retired police sergeant in Blue Ash, Ohio, identified common causes of Taser failure, including clothing, probe placement, substance abuse by the individual, and connectivity between probes. He noted that obesity could affect Taser performance, as a significant layer of body fat might interfere with connectivity.</p><p>Keller explained, "The purpose of the Taser is neuromuscular in capacity. Your large muscle masses are your back and thighs. Officers are trained to aim for those areas, just as they are also trained to adjust their aiming for clothing and the distance between them and the subject."</p><p>If one of the probes hits the abdomen of an obese person, it can affect the connectivity of the two probes. Keller stated, "If one probe hits the person and the other probe misses, the Taser will not work."</p><p>He provided an example where if one probe hits a subject in the thigh and the other hits a thick bubble jacket, the officer might not achieve good connectivity. He added, "The same could be considered if there is a large layer of body fat — they could still feel it, but it might not be as effective."</p><p>In reference to Cisneros’ case, Keller indicated that mental health may also significantly influence how a person responds to a Taser. Tisch confirmed at the press conference that the suspect had a documented mental health history with the NYPD, including incidents in 2018 and 2019.</p><p>Dr. Marc Siegel, a senior medical analyst, concurred that body composition can affect Taser effectiveness. He stated, "Tasers are much more effective for muscle than fat because muscle conducts electricity much better, and the Taser delivers a high voltage. In an obese person, it is more difficult to find an area that conducts electricity."</p><p>Fox News Digital reached out to Axon, the NYPD, and obesity organizations for comment.</p>