The security guard responsible for failing to prevent an intruder from entering the TODAY show studio has been terminated from his role.
Page Six reports intruder suspect Andrew Truelove was able to slip past two security guards with surveillance video capturing the oversight. One guard stepped away while the other “missed the intruder,” as he walked in.
Law enforcement officials reported that on Thursday, a man named Andrew Truelove breached NBC’s TODAY show studio in New York City, seeking famed host Al Roker. The intruder allegedly shouted racial epithets before he confronted host Craig Melvin.
During a live broadcast at NBC’s Rockefeller Center studios, Andrew Truelove was apprehended after he allegedly trespassed and directed racist remarks at co-host Craig Melvin. Authorities noted that his initial intent was to find Al Roker. The studio’s security team swiftly intervened, leading to his arrest by the police. (Photo credit: Kevin C. Downs/Redux)
The NYPD acted promptly, taking Truelove into custody. He now faces two counts of hate crime charges due to his confrontational actions.
Truelove’s lawyer, Lawrence Gerzog, informed News Media that a judge has issued a protective order, requiring Truelove to maintain a safe distance from both Al Roker and Craig Melvin.
Andrew Truelove was arrested after allegedly entering NBC’s Rockefeller Center studios during a live broadcast of the Today show and shouting racist slurs at co-host Craig Melvin. Authorities initially said he was looking for Al Roker. Security personnel intervened and police took him into custody. Kevin C. Downs/Redux (Kevin C. Downs/Redux)
Meanwhile, Melvin was back on the anchor desk Friday morning and appeared to be in good spirits. He remained on the show for two hours before secondary hosts stepped in during the show’s 9 a.m. hour.
About 30 minutes into the 7 a.m. hour, Melvin and the team addressed the Thursday security breach.
Melvin said, “We want to take a quick moment to address what happened yesterday. You may have heard that unfortunately an intruder made his way into an unauthorized area here at Studio 1A. 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.”
Melvin also noted he is “safe and sound,” following the incident.
Andrew Truelove was arrested after allegedly entering NBC’s Rockefeller Center studios during a live broadcast of the Today show and shouting racist slurs at co-host Craig Melvin. Authorities initially said he was looking for Al Roker. Security personnel quickly intervened and police took him into custody. (Kevin C. Downs/Redux)
Al Roker also addressed the situation Friday morning just before the 7 am hour in a post to Instagram and said, “A really heartfelt thank you to all who reached out over the last 24 hours to check in on my brother,” he said.
The post goes on to say, “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.’ We’ll talk about it this morning on the TODAY show.”
Just before Thursday’s security breach, Melvin’s co-host Savannah Guthrie, announced she would be stepping away from the morning show for a few weeks to film a new ‘Wordle’ gameshow.
Friday morning, Guthrie was not on the desk with her co-hosts stating she was taking a “long weekend.” Melvin left early Friday for a reported previously planned vacation.
News Media has reached out to NBC for comment.