Today show staff are reeling after an intruder searching for Al Roker broke into the studio and was arrested for confronting Craig Melvin.
“They were already on edge because of Savannah (Guthrie),” a source told Page Six, noting that the journalist’s mother, Nancy Guthrie, was kidnapped from her Arizona home in February.
The official called Thursday morning’s horror “appalling” and “insane,” noting: “He could have stabbed Craig. He could have planted a bomb.”
It’s unclear whether the person carrying the backpack was a big fan of Roker, 71, or whether he had malicious intentions toward the weather forecaster.
The intruder who lunged at Melvin and hurled racial slurs did not enter the actual filming studio, but the man made it to the stairs inside the studio, where a confrontation occurred.
In particular, you have to swipe through security to access areas. I’m told the incident lasted 8 to 10 seconds.
30 I’ve heard that Rockefeller Center is “a very public place, so security is difficult.”
A source explained, “There is a coffee shop in the area that staff use to get in and out.People come with their entourages.All the celebrities bring about 12 people with them, so it’s not unusual for the whole group to go through security at once.”
“I don’t think they don’t care,” the source continued. “This is a complicated place for security. But I believe we have a meeting today.”
The intruder was taken into custody, and New York City police confirmed someone was in custody.
“On Thursday, July 16, 2026, at approximately 8:57 a.m., uniformed officers assigned to 30 Rockefeller Center received a report of a disorderly person in the building,” a statement obtained by Page Six said.
“Shortly thereafter, responding officers entered the building and took the individual into custody without incident. There were no reports of injuries and the investigation remains active and ongoing. Charges are pending.”
Roker and Melvin, 47, appeared on air after the incident but have not yet commented on it.
The Today show released a statement about the “security incident” Thursday afternoon, saying, “An individual entered an unauthorized area of the vestibule near Studio 1A. The individual approached anchor Craig Melvin, who alerted security. The individual was arrested by police and taken into custody without further incident. There was no altercation and no one was injured.”
“Today is fully cooperating with the investigation,” the statement continued. “NBC and Today take the safety and security of our employees, talent, staff, and guests very seriously. We are reviewing this incident and our security protocols and remain committed to providing a safe and secure environment for everyone who works at or visits our studios.”
Guthrie’s morning show colleagues confessed they were “shaken up” when Nancy went missing in February.
“We’re all rattled,” Shainelle Jones said, adding that staff were experiencing “sleep problems.”
Security was reportedly beefed up at the time, and a source told the US Sun, “NBC is increasing security for on-air talent. NBC is partnering with the New York City Police Department to ensure the safety of its staff with utmost care.”
