A 41-year-old man has been charged with hate crime, criminal trespass and harassment after allegedly storming NBC’s Rockefeller Plaza studios, where police say he lunged at Today co-host Craig Melvin while yelling a racial slur.
Andrew Truelove was arrested following the Thursday morning incident. Police said he initially asked to see longtime Today host Al Roker before slipping past studio security and entering a restricted area, where he allegedly confronted Melvin.
“It was reported to officers that there was a disorderly person inside 30 Rockefeller Center, within the confines of the Midtown North Precinct,” a police spokesperson told The Independent in a statement. “Officers responded and placed an unidentified individual into custody.”
Truelove is due in court on July 22, according to public records viewed by The Independent. The records also show a number of criminal incidents involving Truelove over the past year.
His recent charges — unrelated to the Today show incident — include reckless endangerment, criminal trespass and assault in the third degree, all of which he has pleaded not guilty to.
In June, Truelove pleaded guilty to felony criminal mischief for damaging multiple vehicles. He was sentenced to six months in jail, five years’ probation and ordered to pay $375 in fees. It is unclear how much of that jail sentence he served before Thursday’s alleged incident.
Melvin, 47, broke his silence on the incident Thursday evening, sharing a short statement on Instagram that read: “I’ve heard from so many of you over the last few hours. I’m doing just fine. Thanks for reaching out. I’m looking forward to seeing you tomorrow morning on @todayshow.”
NBC said in a statement shared with The Independent: “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.”
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The statement continued, “Today is cooperating fully with law enforcement as they investigate the matter. NBC and Today take the safety and security of our employees, talent, staff and guests extremely seriously. 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.”
Melvin joined the Today show in 2018. He replaced Hoda Kotb as Savannah Guthrie’s co-anchor in the show’s first two hours in January 2025.