'Massive' NYPD Presence Planned At Tree Lighting After Midtown Killing

NEW YORK CITY — The NYPD will have a "massive presence" at the planned Rockefeller Center Christmas tree lighting Wednesday following the fatal shooting of a United Healthcare CEO in Midtown.

Jeffrey Maddrey, NYPD chief of department, said during a press conference that police would have plainclothes officers on scene, strategic response groups and other assets at the event.

"We're encouraging New Yorkers to go about their daily lives and their daily business but to be alert," Maddrey said.

The NYPD will be stationed from 52nd Street all the way down to 47th Street, officials said.

"Millions of people will be enjoying the tree lighting tonight, among other holiday events, and the NYPD will be out there with them, keeping them safe," NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch said.

The annual tree lighting event is expected to begin at 7 p.m. with the lighting of the tree planned for around 10 p.m.

"This is a terrible event, but we're going to go on and people can enjoy the tree lighting, Maddrey said.

United Healthcare CEO Shooting In Midtown

Brian Thompson, the 50-year-old CEO of United Healthcare, was shot and killed outside a Midtown hotel Wednesday morning in what police are calling a targeted attack.

NYPD officials said officers received a call around 6:45 a.m. about a shooting outside 1335 Sixth Avenue. When officers arrived two minutes later, they found Thompson suffering from multiple gunshot wounds, Patch previously reported.

Thompson was taken to Mount Sinai West, where he succumbed to his injuries at 7:12 a.m., police said.

The shooter fled the scene of the shooting on foot before getting on an e-bike. He was last seen entering Central Park on Center Drive at 6:48 a.m. – just a few minutes after he shot Thompson.