A man has been charged with hate crimes following a security breach at NBC’s “Today” show studio in Manhattan, where he allegedly confronted anchor Craig Melvin with a racial slur.
Andrew Truelove, 41, of Manhattan, was arrested Thursday morning at approximately 8:57 a.m. after officers at 30 Rockefeller Center responded to reports of a disorderly person inside the building. Truelove faces multiple charges, including burglary as a hate crime, menacing as a hate crime, criminal trespass as a hate crime, and harassment. He appeared in court Friday, where a judge set bail at $10,000, though he is currently being held at Rikers Island on $20,000 bail.
According to law enforcement and a criminal complaint, Truelove gained access to the “Today” studio by entering the lobby and closely following an NBC employee who used an ID card to scan into the building. He then made his way into a stairwell and proceeded backstage near the hosts’ dressing rooms. Inside, Truelove allegedly called out, “Where is Roker?” while loitering at the bottom of the stairwell, seeking longtime “Today” weatherman Al Roker.
When he could not find Roker, Truelove allegedly turned his attention to Melvin, entering an unauthorized area in a vestibule near Studio 1A. He then allegedly lunged at the co-anchor while repeatedly uttering a racial slur. Melvin alerted security, who immediately detained Truelove until police arrived. The entire incident lasted approximately 8 to 10 seconds and occurred off-air, before it was captured by the show’s broadcast.
“Unfortunately, an intruder made his way into an unauthorized area here at Studio 1A,” Melvin said Friday morning, addressing the incident on air. “Thankfully, he was apprehended quickly. He was placed under arrest. We are cooperating fully with the NYPD as they investigate the matter, and we are just very happy that everyone is safe.” Despite the frightening encounter, Melvin continued with his on-air duties, returning to the broadcast approximately 15 minutes after the incident.
NBC released a statement Thursday acknowledging the security breach and emphasizing that no altercation occurred and no one was injured. “NBC and ‘Today’ take the safety and security of our employees, talent, staff and guests extremely seriously,” the network said. “We are reviewing the incident and our security protocols and remain committed to providing a safe and secure environment for everyone who works at and visits our studios.”
Al Roker, the meteorologist Truelove had initially been seeking, posted on Instagram Friday morning expressing solidarity with Melvin. “A really heartfelt thank you to all who reached out over the last 24 hours to check in on my brother, Craig Melvin. We are both okay. It’s moments like these that serve to pull us together. You all, like Craig said, ‘You come after one of us, you come after all of us.'”
Craig Melvin and Al Roker have since been granted a court-ordered protective order requiring Truelove to stay away from both men at NBC and their homes.
Court records indicate that Truelove has an extensive criminal history. In June 2026, he pleaded guilty to felony criminal mischief in connection with a case involving damage to multiple vehicles. He was sentenced to six months in jail, five years of probation, and ordered to pay $375 in fees. He also has three pending criminal cases in New York. According to law enforcement sources, Truelove is a Sandy Hook school shooting denier who has been arrested multiple times, including in his native Virginia, for allegedly stealing signs and memorials dedicated to shooting victims.
The security breach has prompted serious questions about protocols at 30 Rockefeller Center, where the street-level Studio 1A broadcasts the show. Sources told reporters that staff members at “Today” were deeply concerned about how an unauthorized person managed to slip past multiple layers of security to reach a restricted area occupied by on-air talent. NBC News stated that it is investigating how the breach occurred and reviewing its security procedures.
In response to the incident, NBC dismissed a security guard. According to reports, two guards were on duty at the entrance where the breach occurred, with one reportedly stepping away while the other failed to notice Truelove’s entrance to the restricted area. Reports suggest the breach could have consequences for other security personnel involved as well.
The incident occurred on the same morning that “Today” co-host Savannah Guthrie announced she would be temporarily stepping away from her anchor duties to film a new Wordle game show. The timing added to the concerns expressed by some staff members, as the show had already implemented heightened security measures earlier in the year following the abduction of Guthrie’s mother, Nancy Guthrie, from her Arizona home in February.