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Craig Melvin is enjoying a well-deserved break after enduring a terrifying experience.
The broadcast journalist faced an intruder at NBC Studio, but emerged unscathed after the perpetrator verbally attacked him.
The shocking incident caused a stir, with Craig Melvin and AI Rooker securing legal protection against the culprit. The intruder has since been identified as Andrew Truelove.
Melvin was nowhere to be seen during the July 20 episode of the “TODAY” show, just days after the studio break-in incident. Savannah Guthrie, who was previously absent amid her mother’s shocking disappearance, kicked off the morning news show with Melvin’s replacement.
The journalist was replaced by “Today with Jenna & Sheinelle” co-host Sheinelle Jones, with Guthrie confirming Melvin wasn’t on the show for a good reason. “We’ve got Sheinelle in for Craig, who’s getting a little family vacation,” Guthrie told viewers, per US Weekly.
Melvin’s absence came days after The Blast reported that he had broken his silence about the studio break-in on the NBC show. A day after the incident, which occurred on July 16, the TV personality confirmed that “an intruder made his way into an unauthorized area here at Studio 1A.”
The Broadcast Journalist Claimed No One Was Harmed During The Incident
Melvin reassured fans that everyone was okay, noting the intruder was contained quickly and has since been arrested. As stated, the culprit identified as Andrew Truelove slipped past security at 30 Rockefeller Plaza on the morning of July 16.
The Blast shared that a routine “TODAY” show broadcast appeared to capture Truelove lurking outside Rockefeller Center while Guthrie and Melvin delivered a news segment. He broke into the studio minutes later, with law enforcement sources noting his initial target had been AI Rooker.
After failing to locate the older broadcaster, Truelove turned his sights on Melvin, whom he reportedly confronted and hurled a racial slur at. Besides leaving those involved with a bitter taste in their mouths, the perpetrator’s actions allegedly caused a security guard to lose their job.
NBC Reportedly Fired A Security Guard Over The Break-In
As reported by The Blast, surveillance footage capturing the incident revealed two guards had been stationed near the studio entrance. At some point, one of the security personnel stepped away from their post while the other remained.
The remaining guard failed to notice when Truelove slipped into the studio, leading to the unfortunate turn of events. It was unclear which guard was punished, but one was reportedly fired in connection with the break-in.
Sources noted the guard’s dismissal was heartbreaking because he was well-liked in the building. The punishment might stem from reports claiming Truelove had lunged at Melvin during the confrontation while shouting the N-word before security managed to restrain him.
The Victims Have Received Legal Protection
The guard’s reported dismissal followed NBC’s statement after the incident. The organization stressed that they took “the safety and security of our employees, talent, staff and guests extremely seriously.” They noted an internal review of the situation was ongoing.
They also stated they would review their existing security procedures to ensure “a safe environment for everyone who works at or visits the network’s studios.” The Blast reported that the dismissed guard wasn’t the only one facing the music.
The culprit was similarly facing consequences for his actions, with a judge granting Melvin and Roker legal protection against Truelove. The intruder was warned not to approach them at their work or homes, a restriction that would take effect once Truelove posts his $20,000 bail.
Al Roker Supports ‘Brother’ Craig Melvin
Melvin ended up getting dragged into the studio break-in after Truelove failed to find Roker. The Blast shared that the latter showcased his love and support for his broadcasting pal in a heartfelt social media post.
He updated his Instagram page on July 17 with a picture montage detailing his moments with Melvin. The post was set to Avicii’s “Hey Brother” alongside a touching caption, which read: “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.”
Roker claimed it was moments like the studio break-in that “serve to pull us together,” noting more details about the incident would be covered on the morning news show. His words sparked an outpouring of love and support from fans, with many happy that no one was harmed.
The Craig Melvin Skips Work After ‘TODAY’ Show Scare first appeared on The Blast
