SCARE ON SET Today intruder arrested after ‘LUNGING at Craig Melvin on set and screaming racial slur’
TODAY’s Craig Melvin was involved in a scary ordeal when an intruder lunged at him and screamed racial slurs on set.
A stranger followed the NBC host, 47, inside Studio1A, causing a terrifying scene, the NYPD confirmed to The U.S. Sun.
Today’s Craig Melvin was cornered by an intruder inside the building on Thursday morning, the NYPD confirmed to The U.S. SunCredit: Alamy Live News.
The man reportedly lunged at Craig, shouting racial slurs moments after the new anchor’s live broadcastCredit: NBC
“On Thursday, July 16, 2026, at approximately 09:19 hours, it was reported to officers that there was a disorderly person inside 30 Rockefeller Center, within the confines of the Midtown North Precinct,” the NYPD said in a statement obtained by The U.S. Sun.
“Officers responded and placed an unidentified individual into custody. There were no injuries reported. The investigation remains ongoing.”
The man is said to have slipped past security, completely unnoticed as he entered the building.
He reportedly asked for the show’s chief weatherman, Al Roker, before cornering Craig in a restricted area, according to TMZ, who first broke the story.
The individual allegedly lunged at the morning news anchor while yelling a racial slur.
This all happened around 9:00 a.m. EST, moments after Craig, Savannah Guthrie, and Carson Daly were on set presenting guest Adam Lambert for his in-studio performance.
Today show staff and security reportedly rushed into the building, and the intruder was ultimately detained.
NBC News later identified the man as Andrew Truelove, a man with a long criminal history.
The was a heavy police presence outside the studio on Thursday after the incidentCredit: The U.S. Sun
The area has been heavily patrolled since Savannah’s mother Nancy was abducted from her Arizona home in FebruaryCredit: The U.S. Sun
Craig appeared to sit out for the start of the 9:00 a.m. news broadcast, as he wasn’t in his usual seat alongside Al and Dylan Dreyer.
He resurfaced later in the hour but didn’t acknowledge the incident.
A police source told The U.S. Sun that it is believed the intruder was an emotionally disturbed person who breached security at the Rockefeller Center subway entrance, which connects directly to the studios.
A separate insider said they were shocked that the individual snuck in, given the heavier-than-normal security in place due to several major events happening around the city.
“Security at 30 Rock has already been unusually tight this past week, so it’s really wild that anyone was able to breach the building,” a source said.
“30 Rock’s public entrances have been locked down since last week, with World Cup fan activations and events going on in and around the building.
“Anyone who was looking to enter the building, and even for the public concourse, which is typically completely open to the public, would have to show their work ID for that part of the building, or they’d have to show their lunch pick-up order receipt.”
The insider also expressed concern, given Al typically bikes to work, and he appeared to be the initial target.
The intruder was ultimately detained and arrested after the incidentCredit: Getty
Craig appeared to sit out for the start of the 9:00 a.m. news broadcast, as he wasn’t in his usual seat alongside Al and Dylan DreyerCredit: Getty
Later on Thursday, a Today spokesperson released a statement to The U.S. Sun about the incident.
“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.
“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,” the statement concluded.
On Thursday night, Craig also responded to the report.
“Hey everyone. I’ve heard from so many of you over the last few hours. I’m doing just fine. Thanks for reaching out,” he said on Instagram and X, formerly known as Twitter.
“Me, too!!!” Al responded in the comments.
NBC had already beefed up its security measures at the New York City studios after Savannah’s elderly mother Nancy Guthrie’s suspected abduction from her Arizona home in February.
The 84-year-old still remains missing after being taken from her bed in the middle of the night.
There have been barely any leads, nor any suspects in connection to the case, despite the Pima County Sheriff’s Department and several media outlets receiving multiple ransom notes claiming to have information about Nancy’s whereabouts.
NBC has since teamed up with the NYPD to “make sure their staff remains safe, out of an abundance of caution,” a source exclusively told The U.S. Sun.
A separate insider revealed that cops and private security were stationed at the midtown studio and offices.
