Oscar-nominated filmmaker Lexi Alexander has faced widespread backlash after posting a mocking meme about the murder of Erin Piacenti, a 32-year-old Bank of America vice president killed in a random stabbing attack in Times Square. Alexander, known for Green Street Hooligans and the short film Johnny Flynton, shared an image likening the attacker to accused killer Luigi Mangione, prompting fury online and accusations that she was celebrating a young mother's death.

Piacenti was stabbed at random on West 41st Street in Midtown Manhattan on her first day back from maternity leave, by 49-year-old Pamela Cisneros, who also attacked an elderly man before being shot dead by police. Alexander's meme gained over 36,000 likes but drew condemnation from users including attorney Mark Yzaguirre, and she responded by blaming an "Hasbara bot farm" and reiterating calls to boycott Bank of America over its ties to Israel, while dismissing criticism of her comments.