New details are coming out as Craig Melvin addresses the disturbing incident that took place on The Today Show this week.
As we previously reported, an intruder, who has since been identified as Andrew Truelove, broke into Studio 1A at Rockefeller Center in New York City on Thursday. Law enforcement sources told TMZ that he allegedly had his sights on Al Roker at first, but switched to Craig when he couldn’t find him after slipping past security. Truelove then allegedly lunged at the 47-year-old host before shouting the N-word. Disgusting.
Related: Dylan Sprouse Recalls Terrifying Attempted Home Invasion!
Thankfully, no one was harmed during the situation. The New York Police Department arrested Truelove on hate crime-burglary, hate crime-menacing, hate crime-criminal trespass, and harassment charges. Now we’re learning more about what happened. Brace yourselves. It’s horrifying stuff.
TMZ reported that cops alleged one person, seemingly Craig, told them that they saw the intruder at the bottom, and he yelled out their name before asking for Al. The officers then claimed they were told Truelove “proceeded to take steps toward Informant 2 and stated in substance, you’re a [N-word],” adding:
“I am informed by Informant 2 that the defendant’s conduct made him fear for his safety.”
Per the police, the individual asked Truelove if that’s what he wanted to get arrested for, and what the intruder allegedly said is horrible. Cops claimed he replied:
“I always wanted to call a Black famous person the N-word.”
WTF!
Truelove was arraigned in a New York criminal court Friday, where he was officially charged with burglary in the third degree as a hate crime and menacing in the third degree as a hate crime, both felonies. USA Today reports he remains in custody on a $10,000 bail. Craig and Al both were granted a full temporary order of protection during that arraignment.
And Truelove isn’t the only one facing consequences right now. According to Page Six, NBC News fired a security guard who let the man inside. Sources claimed a security video showed two guards on duty before the incident, but after one guard stepped away, the other missed the intruder sneaking into the studio. It is unknown exactly who got the boot, but insiders say the Today Show staff are upset over the firing because he was beloved in the building. Oof.
But despite all the chaos, the Today hosts are pushing through. A day later, Craig took a “quick moment” to “address an incident that happened yesterday” at the top of the 7:30 a.m. segment. He continued:
“You may have heard that unfortunately an intruder made his way into an unauthorized area here at Studio 1A. Thankfully, he was apprehended quickly, he was placed under arrest, we are cooperating fully with NYPD as they investigate the matter and we are just very happy that everyone is safe.”
Laura Jarrett, who is sitting in for Savannah Guthrie, chimed in to add:
“We want to make sure that you’re safe.”
To which Craig replied:
“Safe and sound.”
Laura then stressed:
“Safe and sound at all times.”
Thank goodness for that. We’re continuing to send love to the Today Show cast and crew after this incident! It’s incredibly scary and sad what happened there, and we’re glad everyone is safe! Reactions, Perezcious readers? Let us know in the comments (below).
To learn more about civil rights issues, check out https://www.splcenter.org/.
[Image via MEGA/WENN]