Craig Melvin Addresses Intruder Who Gained Access To ‘Today’ Studio

Craig Melvin addressed an incident in which an intruder accessed the Rockefeller Center studio of NBC‘s Today, telling viewers that he was “safe and sound.”

On Today on Friday, Melvin said, “You may have heard that unfortunately, an intruder made his way into an unauthorized area here in Studio 1A. Thankfully, he was apprehended quickly. He was placed under arrest. We are cooperating fully with the NYPD as they investigate the matter, and we are just very happy that everyone is safe.”

On Thursday, the show released a statement, “There was a security incident this morning at the Today show studio. An individual entered an unauthorized area in a vestibule near Studio 1A. The person approached anchor Craig Melvin, who alerted security. The individual was detained and taken into custody by law enforcement without further incident. There was no altercation, and no one was injured. Today is cooperating fully with law enforcement as they investigate the matter. NBC and Today take the safety and security of our employees, talent, staff and guests extremely seriously. We are reviewing the incident and our security protocols and remain committed to providing a safe and secure environment for everyone who works at and visits our studios.”

The intruder was taken into custody by police today after he reportedly lunged at Melvin while shouting a racial slur inside the show’s Rockefeller Center headquarters.

The NYPD identified the suspect as Andrew Truelove, 41, who was charged with burglary, menacing, criminal trespass, all as hate crimes, and harassment. According to a 2023 Los Angeles Times feature profile focusing on Truelove’s homelessness and his struggles with PTSD, bipolar disorder and other mental health issues, Truelove spent time in state prisons and local jails in his native Virginia prior to moving to LA. One incident that landed him behind bars involved the theft of signs memorializing victims of the 2012 Sandy Hook school shooting, a shooting Truelove insisted never happened.

Truelove is thought to have asked for meteorologist Al Roker first after slipping past security. He then confronted Melvin while shouting the slur. Security then detained the man, who was subsequently taken into custody by the NYPD.

The incident occurred off-air.