Man arrested after off-air lunge at Today host Craig Melvin
Deadline reported that a man got inside Today’s Rockefeller Center headquarters, confronted Craig Melvin and was arrested after security intervened.
By Bianca Rossi · Entertainment Editor
2 min read
A man was arrested at Rockefeller Center on Thursday morning after allegedly getting inside the Today show’s headquarters and lunging at host Craig Melvin, according to Deadline, which said it confirmed the incident with sources.
The encounter happened around 9 a.m. ET inside the Midtown Manhattan building, Deadline reported. The incident took place off the air, and Deadline said it appeared that no one was hurt.
Law enforcement officials told TMZ that the man followed Melvin into the building. Once inside, TMZ reported, the man went into an area that is not supposed to be open to the public.
According to Deadline, the man initially asked for Today meteorologist Al Roker after getting past security. The report said he then confronted Melvin and lunged at him while shouting a racial slur.
Security detained the man before he was arrested, according to Deadline. The report did not identify the man or list any charges.
What happened inside Rockefeller Center
The incident unfolded at the home base of NBC’s morning show, where Melvin works as a host. Deadline reported that the man was described as an intruder and that the confrontation occurred away from the broadcast.
TMZ’s account, cited by Deadline, said the man trailed Melvin into the Midtown building before making his way beyond public access. Deadline also reported that the man’s first request was for Roker, another longtime Today personality, before the confrontation with Melvin.
No injuries were reported in Deadline’s account. The outlet said security stopped the man at the scene and that he was later taken into custody.
NBC and police details still pending
Deadline said it contacted NBC and the New York Police Department seeking more information. The report did not include statements from NBC, the NYPD, Melvin or Roker.
The arrest came during the regular morning window for Today, but Deadline reported that viewers did not see the incident because it happened off-camera.
Deadline’s report was published by Greg Evans, with Ted Johnson contributing. Further details, including the man’s name, possible charges and any additional security response by NBC, were not included in the report.
This story draws on original reporting from Deadline.