The Today Show had a scary incident on Thursday, July 16, when an attacker got past security and confronted Craig Melvin. The suspect was arrested and charged with hate crimes, among other charges. Keep reading to find out more about the shocking situation.
Man Breaches Today Show Security, Confronts Craig Melvin
The third hour of the Today Show started without Craig Melvin. Moments earlier, he was confronted by a man who had found his way into the studio. The NBC morning program films at the Rockefeller Center in New York City. However, the first two hours of the Thursday, July 16, episode aired without any issues.
But just before 9 a.m., the police officer outside the studio was notified of an unauthorized “disorderly” individual inside the studio. A man was able to gain access to the studio and find his way to Craig Melvin’s dressing room. He reportedly had a short confrontation with the Today host, hurling a racial slur. The individual also asked for Al Roker, who was luckily not present at the moment.
Attacker Arrested, Charged With Hate Crimes
PEOPLE magazine and other outlets identify the suspect as Andrew Truelove, 41. He was reportedly apprehended by the show’s security shortly after confronting Craig Melvin. The would-be assailant was arrested and charged on several hate crime counts. Andrew Truelove allegedly asked for Al Roker by name during his confrontation with Craig Melvin. He allegedly hurled a racist slur at the Today Show host before he was captured.
Andrew Truelove now faces multiple hate crime charges. He was charged with hate crime menacing, hate crime burglary, hate crime criminal trespass, and harassment. While he yelled at Craig Melvin, no one was injured in the incident. It could have been much worse.
PEOPLE magazine reported that Andrew Truelove has a criminal record. He pleaded guilty to felony criminal mischief in June 2026. That case reportedly involved damage to multiple vehicles. He was sentenced to six months in jail, probation, and had to pay $375 in fees. The outlet reported that it wasn’t clear how long he spent in jail on that charge.
That’s not Andrew Truelove’s only legal trouble. According to court records, he has three other pending criminal cases in New York. He pleaded not guilty to charges of misdemeanor assault, reckless endangerment, criminal trespass on railroad property and trespassing. However, the details of what happened in those pending cases weren’t public.
Today Show host Savannah Guthrie’s mother was allegedly kidnapped from her home in Arizona in February. Nancy Guthrie, 84, is still missing. Reports at the time claimed that the NBC news program tightened security amid the missing persons case. However, Thursday’s incident raises questions about how Andrew Truelove was able to make it past security and into the dressing room area. Stay tuned for updates on the shocking incident.
Jennifer Havener grew up in a small town in Upstate New York. She earned her B.A in Writing & Literature from Naropa University in Boulder, Colorado. She always knew watching reality TV shows and soap operas, particularly ‘Days of Our Lives’, would come in handy someday. When she’s not writing, she’s playing with her dogs, Lola and Ruger
