A security guard has been fired from NBC's "Today Show" following an incident where an intruder entered Studio 1A and confronted anchor Craig Melvin. The unidentified guard was terminated Thursday, hours after the breach occurred around 9 a.m. in New York City's Rockefeller Center.
According to reports, the intruder, identified as Andrew Truelove, allegedly slipped past two guards at the entrance. Security footage reportedly showed one guard walking away while the other failed to detect Truelove entering the restricted area. It remains unclear which of the two guards was dismissed.
Insiders described the fired guard as a well-liked employee, according to Page Six.
Truelove entered the NBC News and "Today Show" plaza and initially asked staff for weatherman Al Roker. When unable to locate Roker, he reportedly turned his attention to Melvin. Law enforcement sources told TMZ that Truelove lunged at Melvin while shouting the N-word.
The "Today Show" confirmed in a statement that an individual entered an unauthorized area near Studio 1A and approached Melvin. The network stated that there was no altercation and no one was injured.
The New York City Police Department confirmed they responded to a report of a disorderly person and that the intruder was detained and arrested. Melvin later returned to the air with his co-hosts without addressing the incident.