Police announce additional security for the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree lighting due to Brian Thompson shooting

Law enforcement authorities in New York City have reported that they believe the shooting of United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson was premeditated.

Later this evening, Manhattan will host the annual Rockefeller Christmas Tree lighting ceremony. The event is expected to go on as planned, but additional security measures will be imposed as the suspect remains at large. Officials said there would be a “massive police presence” at Rockefeller Center to keep performers and the public safe.

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NYPD bolsters security around Rockefeller Center

For those heading over to the ceremony, NYPD officials reassured the public that there would be plainclothes officers from “52nd Street all the way down to 47th Street” that will be on the lookout for any suspicious activity. There will also be other “assets,” including strategic response and intel units, that will join the plainclothes officers who will be patrolling. Additional security will be deployed on the public transit systems as many New Yorkers move toward Rockefeller Center or use the subway system to go about their daily life.

Whether there were other targets or the individual plans to carry out another attack remains unknown.

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