A man breached security at NBC’s Today show studio in New York early Thursday, made his way into a restricted backstage area and lunged at anchor Craig Melvin while shouting a racial slur, according to police and NBC.
The New York Police Department said the man, described as a disorderly person, was arrested around 9 a.m. after slipping past security at 30 Rockefeller Center. He had not been publicly identified by police. A law enforcement official told CNN he is expected to face burglary and other charges.
The man was reportedly looking for weather anchor Al Roker but did not find him. He then encountered Melvin near an internal stairwell used by on-air talent and staff, according to multiple outlets. He did not enter the studio where the broadcast was taking place, and the confrontation was not shown on air.
He was detained by a member of the NYPD working a paid security detail at the building, police said. No one was hurt, according to the network.
NBC and the Today show said they are cooperating with the investigation. “NBC and TODAY take the safety and security of our employees, talent, staff and guests extremely seriously,” the show said in a statement, adding that it is reviewing security protocols. Police said they are examining surveillance and body camera footage to determine how the man got past security.
The breach comes months after security was increased at the building following the abduction of the mother of Today co-host Savannah Guthrie in February.
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