Police say Today suspect made racist claim after 30 Rock intrusion
Andrew Truelove allegedly entered a restricted area near Studio 1A and approached Craig Melvin before his arrest, according to TMZ and police.
By Bianca Rossi · Entertainment Editor
2 min read
Andrew Truelove allegedly told someone at NBC’s 30 Rockefeller Plaza that he had long wanted to direct the N-word at a famous Black person, according to a police narrative reported by TMZ.
The account, which TMZ says was released by the NYPD and based on conversations with two people who were present, lays out new details from Thursday morning’s incident involving “TODAY” co-anchor Craig Melvin.
According to TMZ, one person told police they saw Truelove enter the 30 Rock lobby and follow an employee into a restricted part of the building. The report says the restricted area was near Studio 1A, the home of “TODAY.”
A second person, whom TMZ reported appears to be Melvin though police did not name that person in the narrative, told officers they saw the defendant at the bottom of a stairwell. According to the police account described by TMZ, the person said Truelove called out their name and asked for Al Roker.
Police were told Truelove then moved toward the second person and used the N-word, according to TMZ’s account of the NYPD narrative. The second person told officers the conduct made them afraid for their safety, the report said.
TMZ reported that the second person asked Truelove if that was the reason he wanted to be arrested. Police say Truelove allegedly responded, “I always wanted to call a Black famous person the N-word.”
Truelove was arrested Thursday morning, according to TMZ. He was booked on charges of hate crime burglary, hate crime menacing, hate crime criminal trespass and harassment, the outlet reported.
TMZ previously reported that Truelove approached Melvin after getting into a vestibule near Studio 1A. The report said Melvin alerted security. NBC told TMZ that no one was injured.
Melvin addressed the episode on “TODAY” Friday morning, according to video and reporting from TMZ. He said the person was taken into custody quickly and that the “TODAY” team is cooperating with investigators.
Roker was also mentioned in the police narrative, according to TMZ, because the second person said Truelove asked for him during the encounter. The report does not say Roker was approached or injured.
TMZ’s report did not include a comment from Truelove. The allegations remain accusations unless and until they are proven in court.
This story draws on original reporting from TMZ.