A security guard accused of allowing an intruder to get inside the TODAY show studio has reportedly lost his job following the alarming breach.
According to Page Six, suspect Andrew Truelove allegedly managed to get past two guards, with surveillance footage said to show how the lapse unfolded. One guard reportedly walked away from his post, while the second failed to notice Truelove as he entered the studio area.
Police said Truelove forced his way into the TODAY show’s New York City studio on Thursday while looking for Al Roker. Once inside, the suspect allegedly shouted racial slurs before approaching host Craig Melvin.
Andrew Truelove was taken into custody after allegedly making his way into NBC’s Rockefeller Center studios during a live TODAY show broadcast and hurling racist slurs at co-host Craig Melvin. Authorities initially said he had been searching for Al Roker. Security staff stepped in quickly before police arrested him. Kevin C. Downs/Redux (Kevin C. Downs/Redux)
The NYPD moved swiftly to detain Truelove. He is now facing two hate crime charges in connection with the disturbing studio confrontation.
Truelove’s lawyer, Lawrence Gerzog, confirmed to INC News that a judge has issued a protective order requiring his client to stay away from both Roker and 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. Officials initially said he was trying to find Al Roker. Security personnel intervened before police took him into custody. Kevin C. Downs/Redux (Kevin C. Downs/Redux)
Melvin, meanwhile, returned to the TODAY anchor desk on Friday morning and appeared upbeat on air. He remained on the broadcast for about two hours before other hosts took over 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.
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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.
INC News has reached out to NBC for comment.
