NBC’s Today morning show had a security breach on Thursday morning just after 9 a.m. that led to the arrest of an unauthorized intruder, and no one was harmed.
The New York City Police in a statement to The Hollywood Reporter said “at approximately 9:19 hours, it was reported to officers that there was a disorderly person inside 30 Rockefeller Center, within the confines of the Midtown North Precinct.”
That was preceded at 8:57 a.m. with a uniformed officer stationed just outside 30 Rockefeller Center being told of a “disorderly individual” inside the building. “Immediately thereafter, the responding officer entered into the building and placed the individual in custody without incident. There were no injuries reported, and the investigation remains active and ongoing. Charges are pending,” the NYPD said in a statement.
It’s understood from NYPD sources that the intruder entered the lobby, got past security and moved through the first-floor gold doors to the stairs to reach Studio 1A. Within seconds, the unauthorized visitor apparently got into a “verbal exchange” on the staircase.
According to a statement received from NBC, the encounter was with Today co-anchor Craig Melvin. The intruder was then pursued back into the lobby at 30 Rockefeller Center, where he was temporarily detained by security officers.
At that point, the NYPD officer assigned to 30 Rockefeller Center was told by security of the lobby entrance incident and, on entering the building, placed the intruder under arrest and in handcuffs.
According to TMZ, which was the first to report on the incident, the intruder had been looking for Today host Al Roker. Unable to find Roker, the stranger reportedly approached Today host Craig Melvin and yelled a racial slur before being detained.
“Officers responded and placed an unidentified individual into custody. There were no injuries reported. The investigation remains ongoing,” the NYPD added in its first statement made public on Thursday morning.
After calm had been restored to the Today set, Melvin and fellow host Al Roker appeared on air and made no mention of the security breach on the Thursday morning show. Melvin late Thursday took to his X account to assure everyone he was okay and would return to his anchor desk on Friday.
“Hey everyone. I’ve heard from so many of you over the last few hours. I’m doing just fine. Thanks for reaching out. I’m looking forward to seeing you tomorrow morning on @TODAYshow,” Melvin said in his post.
NBC News’ Today said in a statement: “There was a security incident this morning at the Today show studio. An individual entered an unauthorized area in a vestibule near Studio 1A. The person approached anchor Craig Melvin, who alerted security. The individual was detained and taken into custody by law enforcement without further incident. There was no altercation, and no one was injured. Today is cooperating fully with law enforcement as they investigate the matter. NBC and Today take the safety and security of our employees, talent, staff and guests extremely seriously. 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.”
Another Today host, Savannah Guthrie, on the Thursday telecast announced she will be taking a “few” weeks off to film a new project. Guthrie returned to her anchor desk duties in April after taking time away from the show following the disappearance of her mother, Nancy Guthrie, who was last seen at her Tucson, Arizona home on Jan. 31. Nancy Guthrie remains missing.
July 16, 11:06 a.m. Updated with statement from NBC News’ Today.
July 16, 12:30 p.m. Updated with an additional statement from the New York City Police.
July 16, 3:20 p.m. Updated with X post from Craig Melvin.
Original Article on Hollywood Reporter