Macy's stabbing: Homeless woman charged in attack, police say

Woman stabbed inside Macy's Herald Square

Officers responded around 1:13 p.m. to reports of an assault in progress on the department store’s seventh floor.

A woman visiting the city was stabbed inside Macy’s Herald Square Thursday afternoon in an attack that police say was unprovoked.

What we know:

Officers say they responded around 3 p.m. to reports of an assault in progress on the department store’s seventh floor. 

There, police say they found a 38-year-old woman who had been stabbed multiple times in the back and arm.

What we don't know:

According to police, the motive behind the attack is unknown, and what led up to the stabbing remains unclear.

Police arrested 43-year-old Kerri Aherne of Tewksbury, Massachusetts. She faces charges of attempted murder, assault and criminal possession of a weapon.

Local perspective:

Authorities also said that the victim is not from New York.

The woman was taken to a nearby hospital in stable condition.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.