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· collected 2026-09-03 · by TOI World Desk
The article reports on a social media backlash against a GoFundMe fundraiser for the infant daughter of Erin Piacenti, who was stabbed to death in Times Square earlier this week. The organizer of the fundraiser, Aman Gupta, was accused of being an "Indian scammer" despite explaining that he is related to the Piacenti family and that the fundraiser was organized with their approval. The article notes that there is no evidence that the fundraiser is fake, and a spokesperson for the Indian-American Advocacy Council has condemned the online harassment. Over $100,000 has been raised so far for Madison's future.
Written by the local model on 2026-09-03,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
Story summary
A GoFundMe fundraiser was organized by Shray Gupta for $5-month-old daughter Madison, whose mother, Erin Piacenti, was fatally stabbed in Times Square on August 31. However, one Aman Gupta shared a link to the fundraiser on social media and was immediately trolled as an "Indian scammer" despite claiming to be related to the Piacenti family. The trolls questioned why the family needed funds, noting that Frank Piacenti, Madison's father, is reportedly well-off. Aman eventually revealed his connection to the family, but the criticism persisted. The fundraiser aims to support $Madison as she grows up and honors her mother's memory.
Written for “NYC Stabbing Victim's Fundraiser” on 2026-09-03,
grounded in this article and the 0 other(s) covering the same event.
The fundraiser for Erin Piacenti triggered a massive row on social media, as one Shray Gupta organized it on behalf of the family for Erin's five-month-old daughter, Madison.
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Gupta → trigger → daughter
One Aman Gupta got trolled as an 'Indian scammer' as Aman shared the GoFundMe link from his X handle.
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Aman → troll → handle
"Our family is grieving after the horrific Times Sq attack this week.
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family → grieve → attack
Please support Madison's future if you would like to help," Aman wrote.
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Aman → support → future
As people questioned the veracity of the fundraiser, Aman explained how he was related to the Piacenti family.
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he → question → family
But the trolling went on as many users questioned why the Piacenti family would need funds, as Madison's father, Frank Piacenti, is well-off.
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father → go → funds
"On August 31, Erin Piacenti, a beloved wife, mother, daughter, sister, and friend, was killed in a random, senseless, and unprovoked attack in Times Square.
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Piacenti → kill → Square
She was just 32 years old," the fundraiser said.
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fundraiser → say → ?
"Five months earlier, Erin and her husband, Frank, had welcomed their first child, Madison.
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Erin → welcome → child
Becoming a mother was Erin's lifelong ambition, and Madison gave her the greatest possible joy.
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Madison → become → joy
August 31 was Erin's first day returning to work after her maternity leave."
"Erin's life was defined not by the circumstances of her death, but instead by the way she lived.
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she → return → way
Erin was 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 fundraiser gave details of Erin's education and career.
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fundraiser → bring → education
"Erin graduated from the University of Pennsylvania, where she studied political science and sang in an a cappella group.
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she → graduate → group
She started her career as a buyer at Bloomingdale's.
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She → start → Bloomingdale
Erin later graduated from Fordham University School of Law magna cum laude, worked at Davis Polk for several years, and became a vice president at Bank of America," it said.
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it → graduate → America
"Erin's career accomplishments, however, speak to only a small portion of who she was.
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she → speak → portion
To the people who knew and loved her, Erin was a thoughtful daughter and sister, a loyal friend, a devoted partner and companion in every aspect of Frank's life, and, most recently, an incredibly loving mother to Madison.
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Erin → know → Madison
"Erin and Frank celebrated their second wedding anniversary this summer, had just returned from a family road trip upon her passing, and were preparing to build a life together with their new daughter.
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Erin → celebrate → daughter
That life changed incomprehensibly in an instant," it said.
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it → change → instant
The fundraiser also said that the funds 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."
Is the fundraiser fake?
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fundraiser → say → family
Contrary to the social media trolling, there was no evidence that the fundraiser was fake.
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fundraiser → be → trolling
Shray Gupta said she is Frank's brother-in-law and the fundraiser was organized in consultation with Frank and Erin's family.
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fundraiser → say → family
Aman who shared the fundraiser and got called out as an Indian scammer, is Shray's brother.
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who → share → scammer
Indian-American Advocacy Council founder Rajeev Sharma condemned the attack on the fundraiser and said "proud patriots" were busy focusing on being racist instead of supporting the grieving family.
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patriots → condemn → family
