Police arrest man who shouted racial slur at ‘TODAY’ co-anchor Craig Melvin

New York City police arrested a man Thursday morning after he allegedly entered an unauthorized area near the “TODAY” show studio and shouted a racial slur at co-anchor Craig Melvin, according to multiple people familiar with the matter and a statement from NBC News. In a statement, the “TODAY” show confirmed there was a “security incident” after the suspect “entered an unauthorized area in a vestibule near Studio 1A,” the show’s street-level headquarters at Rockefeller Plaza. The person approached Melvin, who then alerted security, according to the statement. “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,” the statement said. “NBC and TODAY take the safety and security of our employees, talent, staff and guests extremely seriously,” the statement added. “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.” The man in police custody has been identified as Andrew Truelove, according to three officials briefed on the matter. Truelove, who was born in 1985, has a criminal history and several cases pending before New York courts. A spokesperson for NYPD said Thursday evening that Truelove had been accused of three felony charges — hate crime, burglary; hate crime, menacing; and hate crime, criminal trespass. Truelove was also charged with harassment. A preliminary search did not turn up any weapons on him, according to a separate official. Melvin said in a statement shared on social media Thursday afternoon that he was “doing just fine” and expected to be on air Friday morning. Melvin, 47, joined the “TODAY” show in 2018. He was named co-anchor last year, serving alongside Savannah Guthrie.