A security guard has been fired by NBC News after an intruder rushed onto the set of the Today show and lunged at anchor Craig Melvin. The incident occurred around 9am at New York City’s Rockefeller Center, while the hosts were off the air.
The intruder, identified as 41-year-old Andrew Truelove, allegedly hurled a racial slur at Melvin before being apprehended. Truelove has been charged with hate crime menacing, hate crime burglary, hate crime criminal trespass, and harassment.
According to reports, the security guard who was fired allegedly failed to notice Truelove slipping into the restricted area of Studio 1A. Two guards were stationed at the entrance, but one walked away, and the other did not see the suspect enter.
Truelove’s Checkered Past
Truelove appears to have a history of run-ins with the law, including several incidents in Manhattan over the past few years. In 2023, he was profiled in a Los Angeles Times piece detailing his struggles with PTSD and a related mood disorder.
The incident has raised concerns about security at the Today show, particularly in light of the recent disappearance of co-host Savannah Guthrie’s mother, Nancy. The network has increased security measures, including partnering with the NYPD to ensure the safety of on-air talent.
Guthrie has announced that she will be taking a temporary leave from the show to film a new project, a game show based on the popular web game Wordle. She will be hosting the show, which is expected to air in the new year.
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