One day after an intruder, who was later identified by authorities as Andrew Truelove, was arrested for accosting Craig Melvin at the Today show’s Studio 1A, Al Roker addressed the incident.
Craig Melvin Breaks Silence on ‘Today’ Show Intruder Arrest
Al Roker is processing after an unsettling incident at Today.
One day after an intruder—who has been identified as 41-year-old Andrew Truelove by the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office—lunged at colleague Craig Melvin at the morning show’s studios, Roker shared his thoughts on the situation.
“A really heartfelt thank you to all who reached out over the last 24 hours to check in on my brother.” Roker wrote in a July 17 Instagram post, tagging Melvin in a supercut of photos from their joint moments on Today. “We are both okay. It’s moments like these that serve to pull us together.”
According to multiple reports, Truelove had allegedly asked for Roker while evading security at 30 Rockefeller July 16 and yelled a racial slur when approaching Melvin. In Roker’s statement, the longtime weather anchor appeared to address the targeted nature of the incident adding, “You all, like Craig, said, ‘You come after one of us, you come after all of us.’”
Truelove has been charged with burglary in the third degree as a hate crime and a count of menacing in the third degree as a hate crime, according to a complaint filed by the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office, obtained by NBC News. His bail has been set at $10,000 and he has a court date set for July 22.
Melvin, for his part, spoke out about the incident during Today’s broadcast July 17.
“You may have heard that unfortunately an intruder made his way into an unauthorized area here at Studio 1A,” Melvin said. “Thankfully, he was apprehended quickly, he was placed under arrest, we are cooperating fully with NYPD as they investigate the matter and we are just very happy that everyone is safe.”
Cindy Ord/Getty Images for Literacy Partners
In a separate post on social media July 16, Melvin expressed gratitude for the support he received from Today fans, writing, “I’ve heard from so many of you over the last few hours.”
The NYPD confirmed to E! News in a July 16 statement that a “disorderly person” had managed to evade security and make his way into an unauthorized area of the Today studios.
“Officers responded and placed an unidentified individual into custody,” the NYPD said. “The investigation remains ongoing.”
Meanwhile, Today also addressed the brief security breach.
“NBC and Today take the safety and security of our employees, talent, staff and guests extremely seriously,” a spokesperson for the NBC show said in a statement to E! News. “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.”
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