Additional Coverage:
Early Thursday morning at around 9 a.m. Eastern time, a man identified as Andrew Truelove managed to breach security at 30 Rockefeller Center and make his way toward the set of the Today show.
Reports indicate that Truelove was initially searching for longtime weatherman Al Roker. When he was unable to locate Roker, he allegedly lunged at anchor Craig Melvin while shouting a racial slur, according to TMZ.
Authorities quickly apprehended Truelove, who now faces hate crime charges.
Thankfully, no injuries resulted from the incident.
A Today show spokesperson commented, “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.”
Prior to the event unfolding during the live broadcast, viewers reportedly noticed a man matching Truelove’s description pacing and smoking on the plaza behind where Savannah Guthrie was seated. TMZ confirmed that this individual was wearing similar clothing and bore a strong resemblance to the man later arrested.
According to People, Truelove, 41, has a prior criminal record and could face up to 15 years in prison if convicted. Protective orders have been issued for both Melvin and Roker.
Following the incident, Melvin stated, “Thankfully, he was apprehended quickly, he was placed under arrest, we are cooperating fully with NYPD as they investigate the matter, and we are just very happy that everyone is safe.”
Truelove is scheduled to appear in court on July 22.