Tourists gathered at Rockefeller Center for the annual Christmas tree lighting despite the presence of an armed assailant on the loose following the tragic killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson nearby earlier that day.
Thousands of visitors from various parts of the world patiently waited in line for hours to catch a glimpse of the iconic tree in Manhattan, just a couple of blocks away from where the shocking incident occurred in the early morning hours.
Braving the chilly weather, the tourists enjoyed performances by the Backstreet Boys and Kelly Clarkson as light snowflakes added to the festive atmosphere before the tree was illuminated at 10 p.m.
Despite the tragedy, many attendees remained unaware or chose not to let it dampen their holiday spirit.
Canadian visitors Heather Poliquin and her daughter Amy joined the crowd in anticipation of witnessing the tree light up with over 50,000 multicolor lights.
âWe werenât worried,â shared Amy. âWe only found out about the incident during dinner, so we feel safe.â
Another woman, NT, commented, âI heard about the shooting, but we werenât concerned. We were far from it this morning, and it seemed targeted.â
Reflecting on the unfortunate event, New Yorker Bhushan Mondkar admitted that such incidents were always a concern but appreciated the heightened security measures in place.
Despite some concerns, visitors like Elena Thomson remained excited to witness the 74-foot Norway spruce being illuminated, focusing on the magical moment rather than the surrounding circumstances.
For many, the tree lighting symbolized a special moment in the heart of New York City, embodying the festive spirit and the resilience of its people.
