A GoFundMe for the newborn daughter of the Bank of America vice president killed in Times Square on Aug. 31 has raised more than $500,000.

Erin Piacenti, 32, was on her first day back at work after maternity leave when Pamela Cisneros, 49, fatally stabbed her in the abdomen with a knife in what the New York City Police Department said was a random attack.

The victim is survived by her husband of two years, Frank Piacenti, as well as her 5-month-old daughter Madison.

The GoFundMe was established as a way for “the many people who loved Erin, knew her, worked with her, or have simply been moved by her story a way to honor Erin by helping care for the daughter she loved more than anything.”

A spokesperson for the family also released a statement to PEOPLE on behalf of the family, which read: “The Piacenti and Guiltinan families are devastated by the loss of Erin and request privacy at this time. They appreciate the outpouring of support they have received. In lieu of flowers or other outreach, the family has set up an official GoFundMe to support Erin’s 5-month-old daughter, Madison.”

Erin Piacenti.gofundme
Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Sign up for PEOPLE’s free True Crime newsletter for breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases.
The GoFundMe was “established to support Madison and her future” and the “funds raised will be dedicated to supporting Madison as she grows up surrounded by the family, friends, stories, and memories that will allow her to know just how remarkable her mother was.”

In a photo posted to Instagram just a few days before the stabbing, a smiling Erin could be seen holding Madison in her arms and standing next to her husband Frank while sharing what a wonderful summer the family had enjoyed ahead of her return to work.

The GoFundMe also pays tribute to Erin, whose “lifelong ambition” was to become a mother, and whose daughter “gave her the greatest possible joy.”

Erin and Frank, who had recently moved from an apartment on New York’s Upper East Side to a home they purchased in Chester, N.J. — a suburb approximately 40 miles west of New York City — had been “preparing to build a life together with their new daughter.”

The couple met at Fordham Law School and were both attorneys, with Erin working in the business selection and conflicts division at Bank of America.

Related Stories
Bank of America VP Was ‘Loving Mother’ Heading Home to Newborn Daughter When She Was Killed in Times Square Attack

Bank of America VP Killed in Times Square Was a New Mom on First Day Back from Maternity Leave

Erin was also remembered as “deeply devoted to her family and friends, exceptionally bright and accomplished, and was someone who brought warmth and energy to the people around her.”

The GoFundMe is hoping to raise $750,000 for Madison.

Erin was killed just before 4:30 p.m. on Aug. 31, just moments after Cisneros stabbed 68-year-old Tak Kam after he exited the subway.

Kam, who was in the city visiting his son at the time, was taken to Bellevue Hospital and is expected to recover from the attack.

The scene in Times Square after the attack.Angela Weiss/AFP via Getty
Officers with the New York City Police Department who were nearby were able to intercept Cisneros shortly after she stabbed Erin, and surrounded the woman.

They ordered her to put down the two knives in her hands, and when she refused and then charged at police, she was shot dead by officers.

Cisneros had no arrest record but did have a “documented mental health history with the NYPD, with one incident in 2019 and another in 2020,” NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch said at a press conference on Aug. 31.

PEOPLE has learned that the 2019 incident involved public intoxication and the 2020 incident was a possible suicide attempt.

Our new app is here! Free, fun and full of exclusives. Scan to download now!

The officers involved in the shooting were transported to a local medical facility for evaluation while Cisneros was taken to Bellevue Hospital, where she was pronounced dead.

The NYPD Force Investigation Division is investigating the incident.