Tourists flocked to Rockefeller Center Wednesday night for the Christmas tree lighting, unfazed by an armed assassin who was on the loose after UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson was killed around the corner hours earlier.
Thousands of visitors from across the country and abroad queued for hours in the hope of catching a glimpse of Manhattan’s famous tree – just two blocks from where the shocking murder was committed shortly before 7am.
The tourists bundled up and sang along to performances by the Backstreet Boys and Kelly Clarkson as light flurries fell over the celebration before the tree lights came on at 10 p.m.
Many partygoers were unaware of the execution in broad daylight and if they had heard, they did not let it dampen their holiday spirit.
Canadians Heather Poliquin and her daughter Amy found themselves in the sea of people hoping to find a good spot to watch the more than 50,000 multi-colored lights illuminate the tree.
“We weren’t worried,” Amy told The Post. “We didn’t even know [about the shooting] until dinner time and then we found out it happened earlier this morning so we’re feeling fine.
“I heard about the shooting. We weren’t worried. We were a long way from reaching it this morning, and the shooter was clearly just chasing him [the CEO]”, said another woman NT.
One New Yorker who braved the crowd said Thompson’s execution-style killing crossed his mind, but felt it was just part of life in the city.
“The shooting came to mind. To be honest. Yes,” said Bhushan Mondkar, 40. “In New York, things like that are always on my mind. But the security was crazy. Since the moment I stepped out of the subway station. Everything is blocked. They checked my bag. So I feel safe.”
After a pause he added, “But it crossed my mind. It’s a bit scary.”
A frustrated father with a toddler said he wishes people would care more about crime.
“Yes, this shooting here, it’s crazy,” he said. “More people should have stayed home after hearing that, it’s full.”
Many spectators were more distraught over the huge — and chaotic — crowd that prevented them from actually seeing the performances or the tree lighting at 10 p.m. than about the deadly shooting.
“I can’t hear any of the music. I came here hours ago to get a good spot and now I can’t even hear the music,” one woman complained while smoking a cigarette.
Anna Marrero drove eight hours from Ohio to the tree lighting with her wife and their 13-year-old daughter, but became separated from them when police began setting up additional barricades.
“This is really ridiculous.” Marrero, 37, told The Post. “I just came with my family. And they put my family on one side, and me on the other.
Still, others were too excited to see the 70-foot-tall Norway spruce illuminated to let the shooting or the crowd get to them.
“I left my three babies at home with their father,” said Elena Thomson in thick Irish brogue. “They are 2,3 and 6 years old. And I’m traveling alone for the first time in my life! Last week was my 40th birthday. This is my birthday present to myself. And life begins at forty!”
“I came to see the tree and see New York and I absolutely love it. I already want to come back.’
She called the moment the lights came on, twinkling around the pine branches, “magical.”
“A beautiful tree. Really and truly. It’s beautiful,” she said. “I feel like I’m living the American dream.”
