A man accused of sneaking into NBC News' Today show studio and shouting a racial slur at anchor Craig Melvin faced a judge Friday on hate crime charges.
Andrew Truelove, 41, was arraigned on one count of third-degree burglary as a hate crime and one count of third-degree menacing as a hate crime, according to a complaint filed by the Manhattan district attorney's office.
The incident unfolded Thursday at Studio 1A in New York City. NBC News said in a statement that Truelove entered a restricted vestibule near the studio. Melvin saw him and immediately alerted security, who detained him without further incident. No one was injured.
According to the DA's complaint, Truelove shouted a racial slur at Melvin, who is Black, and asked, “Where's Roker?” — an apparent reference to longtime weather anchor Al Roker.
Melvin addressed the incident on Friday's broadcast, saying, “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.” He added that his team is “cooperating fully” with the NYPD investigation.
On social media Thursday, Melvin wrote that he was “doing just fine.” Roker also posted, thanking supporters: “A really heartfelt thank you to all who reached out over the last 24 hours to check in on my brother, @craigmelvinnbc We are both okay. It’s moments like these that serve to pull us together.”
The case comes amid heightened concerns about security at media workplaces and public figures, echoing broader threats documented by the Supreme Court. Justices Kagan and Barrett recently detailed a surge in threats as the Court sought a major security boost, underscoring the risks faced by high-profile individuals.
Truelove's arraignment marks the latest in a series of incidents targeting media personalities. The charges carry potential prison time, reflecting the severity of hate-motivated crimes under New York law. The investigation remains ongoing.
