Today says Craig Melvin is safe after Studio 1A intruder arrest
NBC said a man entered an unauthorized area near the Today studio, approached Craig Melvin and was taken into custody without injuries.
By Poppy Nakagawa · Culture Writer
2 min read
Craig Melvin told Today viewers he was safe Friday after NBC said an intruder got into an unauthorized area near the show’s famed Studio 1A at Rockefeller Center.
Melvin addressed the incident on air, saying the person was quickly stopped and arrested. He told viewers that the show was working with the NYPD and that the team was glad “everyone is safe.”
NBC’s Today said in a Thursday statement that the security incident happened that morning in a vestibule near Studio 1A. According to the show, the person entered an area where he was not permitted, approached Melvin and was then flagged to security by the anchor.
The show said the person was detained and taken into law enforcement custody without any further incident. Today also said there was no altercation and no one was hurt.
Police identify suspect
The NYPD identified the suspect as Andrew Truelove, 41, according to Deadline. Police charged him with burglary, menacing and criminal trespass as hate crimes, along with harassment, the report said.
No statement from Truelove was reported.
Deadline reported that the intruder allegedly lunged at Melvin while yelling a racial slur inside the Rockefeller Center headquarters. The outlet also reported that the man is believed to have first asked for Today meteorologist Al Roker after getting past security.
The encounter happened off-air, according to the report.
NBC and Today said they are assisting law enforcement while the matter is investigated. The show also said it is reviewing what happened and looking over its security procedures.
In its statement, Today said NBC and the morning show take the safety of employees, on-air talent, staff and guests seriously, and remain focused on keeping the studios safe for people who work there and visit.
Studio 1A, located at Rockefeller Center in New York City, is the longtime home of Today and a high-profile spot for the network’s morning programming. The show continued on Friday, with Melvin addressing viewers directly about the scare.
This story draws on original reporting from Deadline.