NBC Issues Statement About TODAY Show Intruder & Alleged “Altercation” With Craig Melvin
on • Updated
UPDATE AS OF 9:35 AM CT ON JULY 17TH
The man who allegedly intruded into the TODAY Show studio on Thursday, July 16th, has been identified by NBC News as 41-year-old Andrew Truelove. He was arraigned on Friday, July 17th.
Truelove faces one count of burglary in the third degree as a hate crime and one count of menacing in the third degree as a hate crime. A judge set Truelove’s bail at $10,000.
After issuing a statement on social media on Thursday evening, Craig Melvin briefly addressed the intruder incident on Friday morning’s edition of TODAY, saying, “We are just very happy that everyone is safe.“
UPDATE AS OF 3:30 PM CT ON JULY 16TH
Reps for NBC spoke with Deadline about the intruder who slipped into the TODAY show studio on Thursday, July 16th. The reps said “no altercation” occurred, and labeled the situation as “a security incident.”
The intruder is said to have approached co-anchor Craig Melvin after entering an unauthorized area. Deadline reports that the intruder encountered Melvin in a first-floor stairway, and they had a brief conversation. Melvin followed him into the lobby, where the man was detained by security and later arrested by the NYPD.
Reps for TODAY told Deadline that the studio’s security protocols are now being reviewed. The reps also provided a statement to Deadline, which read:
“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.”
The statement continued to say:
“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.”
Earlier reports claimed that the intruder “lunged” at Melvin and could be heard yelling racial slurs at him.
Melvin also released a personal statement on Instagram, which read:
“Hey everyone. 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.”
The NYPD has not confirmed or denied the previous allegation that the intruder was originally looking for weatherman Al Roker.
The NYPD told Deadline that officers responded to a “disorderly person” report at the TODAY studio around 9:19 AM ET. The investigation into the incident is still ongoing as of press time.
Original Story Concerning The TODAY Show Intruder Follows Below – This Portion Of The Article Was Written Before NBC Issued Its Statement
A man has been arrested after bursting into the TODAY show studio around 9 AM ET on Thursday morning (July 16th).
Law enforcement sources told TMZ that the intruder managed to slip past security. TMZ says they were told the man was unarmed and that he entered through a stairwell.
Upon his arrival, the intruder allegedly asked to see weatherman Al Roker. Although he couldn’t find Roker, he encountered co-anchor Craig Melvin. TMZ claims that the intruder “allegedly lunged at” Melvin while yelling a racial slur.
Security rushed onto the scene soon after, and the intruder was swiftly arrested.
🔗: https://t.co/HVy638CBLu
— People (@people) July 16, 2026
A man was detained after breaking into the 'Today' show’s studio in New York City on Thursday and confronting co-host Craig Melvin, yelling racial slurs, a source tells PEOPLE.
📷️: John Nacion/FilmMagic pic.twitter.com/ngBw1yXnoK
PEOPLE jumped in to offer additional information, reporting that “a source” confirmed similar details with them. PEOPLE also reported that the intruder “confronted” Melvin and was heard yelling racial slurs at the co-anchor.
Deadline confirmed that no one was injured, and the whole thing happened off-air. Both Melvin and Roker appeared on TODAY‘s morning broadcast shortly after.
CNN reports that investigators are trying to figure out how the intruder ended up in the secured area in the first place.
This is a developing story…
