Today Show Hosts Granted Restraining Orders After Security Scare

Today show host Craig Melvin has reassured viewers he is ‘safe and sound’ after a security scare at the show’s studio. A man allegedly evaded security and lunged at Melvin on set while hurling a racist slur.

Melvin addressed the incident on the show, saying: ‘Just a quick moment to address an incident that happened yesterday. You may have heard that, unfortunately, an intruder made his way into an unauthorized area here in 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 added.

Co-anchor Al Roker, who was also targeted by the intruder, agreed, saying: ‘Absolutely.’

Incident Being Treated As Hate Crime

The suspect, identified as 41-year-old Andrew Truelove, allegedly slipped past security guards and into a restricted area. He encountered Melvin on a staircase, in an interaction that lasted roughly eight to ten seconds.

Truelove has been charged with hate crime menacing, hate crime burglary, and hate crime criminal trespass. A judge has issued a protective order requiring Truelove to stay away from Roker and Melvin.

According to law enforcement insiders, Truelove was originally asking for Roker, but when he couldn’t find him, he turned his attention to Melvin and confronted him in a restricted area.

Truelove is currently behind bars at Rikers Island in New York on $20,000 bail.

Security Guard Fired

A security guard has been fired by NBC News following the scare. The unidentified staffer was axed after it was revealed that they had failed to notice Truelove slipping into the restricted area.

The security guard’s axing has prompted sympathy within the Today show, with insiders describing the fired staffer as a well-liked employee at the building.

Security at the morning show has been a top focus amid the disappearance and search for co-host Savannah Guthrie’s missing mom, Nancy. The network took steps to beef up police and security presence at the studio, out of what officials called an ‘abundance of caution’.