Today suspect tied to Sandy Hook memorial vandalism, TMZ reports
Andrew Truelove, accused in a 30 Rock incident involving Craig Melvin and Al Roker, previously served time over Sandy Hook memorial sign thefts.
By Poppy Nakagawa · Culture Writer
2 min read
The man accused in a restricted-area confrontation at NBC’s 30 Rock has a past tied to Sandy Hook memorial vandalism, according to TMZ and prior reporting by the Los Angeles Times.
TMZ identified the suspect as Andrew Truelove and reported that he has been charged in connection with Thursday morning’s incident involving “Today” anchors Craig Melvin and Al Roker. The outlet said Truelove remains jailed at Rikers Island on $20,000 bail while facing hate crime charges.
According to TMZ, Truelove previously spent years in prison after admitting to stealing signs that honored victims of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting. The Los Angeles Times reported in 2023 that Truelove traveled in 2014 to playgrounds in New Jersey and Connecticut to take the memorial signs, and that his actions were motivated by Sandy Hook conspiracy beliefs.
What police say happened at 30 Rock
TMZ reported that Truelove got past security at 30 Rockefeller Plaza on Thursday morning and was looking for Roker. When he did not find him, TMZ said, Truelove turned toward Melvin.
The outlet reported that Truelove confronted Melvin in a restricted part of the building and allegedly lunged at him while shouting the n-word. Police said a witness reported that Truelove made a statement about having wanted to say the racial slur to the face of a Black celebrity, according to TMZ. The outlet said that witness appeared to be Melvin.
The charges described by TMZ have not been proven in court. TMZ did not report any public comment from Truelove about the allegations.
Law enforcement sources told TMZ that Truelove has been ordered to stay away from Melvin and Roker at NBC and at their homes. The outlet noted that the restriction is currently secondary to his custody status, because he remains behind bars.
Melvin says he is OK
Melvin spoke to TMZ on Friday and said he was fine after the encounter. The anchor described the incident as part of “a lot of wacky out there,” according to the outlet.
The case has put fresh attention on security at the “Today” show’s home base in Midtown Manhattan, though TMZ’s reporting focused on Truelove’s alleged actions, his current custody status and his earlier conviction tied to Sandy Hook memorial signs.
The Sandy Hook shooting took place at an elementary school in Connecticut. TMZ and the Los Angeles Times both connected Truelove’s prior conduct to memorials for victims of that attack, with the Times reporting that conspiracy beliefs were behind the 2014 sign thefts.
This story draws on original reporting from TMZ.