“Today” Show Intruder Breaks into Studio Looking for Al Roker, Confronts Craig Melvin and Yells Racial Slur
“Today” Show Intruder Breaks into Studio Looking for Al Roker, Confronts Craig Melvin and Yells Racial Slur
Julia MooreThu, July 16, 2026 at 3:00 PM UTC
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An intruder broke into the Today show’s studio in New York City on Thursday, July 16
A law enforcement source tells PEOPLE the man was detained by authorities
Another source says the man confronted co-host Craig Melvin
A man was detained after breaking into the Today show’s studio in New York City on Thursday, July 16.
At about 9 a.m., a man made his way into the NBC studio at Rockefeller Plaza and confronted co-host Craig Melvin, yelling racial slurs, a source tells PEOPLE. TMZ was first to report the incident, adding that no one was harmed.
The man allegedly asked for Al Roker when he managed to slip past studio security. A law enforcement source confirms to PEOPLE that the man was detained on Thursday at the morning show’s studio. Roker, 71, Melvin, 47, and their co-hosts continued on with the live broadcast after the incident.
Craig Melvin on Sept. 19, 2025Credit: NDZ/Star Max/GC Images
The NYPD said in a statement that at approximately 9:19 a.m. “it was reported to officers that there was a disorderly person inside 30 Rockefeller Center, within the confines of the Midtown North Precinct. Officers responded and placed an unidentified individual into custody. There were no injuries reported. The investigation remains ongoing.”
Reps for the Today show did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment.
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From left: Jenna Bush Hager, Carson Daly, Savannah Guthrie, Craig Melvin and Al Roker on the July 15, 2026, broadcast of ‘Today’Credit: NBC
The intrusion happened on the same day that Savannah Guthrie revealed she will be temporarily stepping away from her co-anchor duties. Guthrie, 54, said during the Thursday broadcast that she’ll be off for the next “few” weeks to film a new project: a Wordle game show.
“We’re about to do it. Guys, I’m headed over to shoot Wordle over the next few weeks,” she said. “We’re going to shoot the whole season and we’re super excited.”
“I can’t wait for everyone to see it. It’ll probably air, I think, in the new year.”
Guthrie previously announced that she’d be hosting the show, which will be executive-produced by Jimmy Fallon, in May.
Her new hosting gig comes over five months after her mother’s disappearance. Nancy Guthrie, 84, was abducted from her Tucson, Ariz., home on Feb. 1. Savannah returned to Today in April after two months away from the anchor desk amid the search for Nancy.
on People
Source: “AOL Breaking”
