UPDATE AS OF 3:30 PM CT
Reps for NBC spoke with Deadline about the intruder who slipped into the TODAY show studio on Thursday, July 16th. The reps said “no altercation” occurred, and labeled the situation as “a security incident.”
The intruder is said to have approached co-anchor Craig Melvin after entering an unauthorized area. Deadline reports that the intruder encountered Melvin in a first-floor stairway, and they had a brief conversation. Melvin followed him into the lobby, where the man was detained by security and later arrested by the NYPD.
Reps for TODAY told Deadline that the studio’s security protocols are now being reviewed. The reps also provided a statement to Deadline, which read:
“There was a security incident this morning at the Today show studio. An individual entered an unauthorized area in a vestibule near Studio 1A. The person approached anchor Craig Melvin, who alerted security. The individual was detained and taken into custody by law enforcement without further incident. There was no altercation, and no one was injured.”
The statement continued to say:
“Today is cooperating fully with law enforcement as they investigate the matter. NBC and Today take the safety and security of our employees, talent, staff and guests extremely seriously. We are reviewing the incident and our security protocols and remain committed to providing a safe and secure environment for everyone who works at and visits our studios.”
This statement seems to dispute earlier reports that the intruder “lunged” at Melvin and could be heard yelling racial slurs at him. Deadline notes that the NYPD has not confirmed nor denied this claim.
Also, the NYPD has not confirmed or denied the previous allegation that the intruder was originally looking for weatherman Al Roker.
The NYPD told Deadline that officers responded to a “disorderly person” report at the TODAY studio around 9:19 AM ET. The investigation into the incident is still ongoing as of press time.
Original Story Concerning The TODAY Show Intruder Follows Below – This Portion Of The Article Was Written Before NBC Issued Its Statement
A man has been arrested after bursting into the TODAY show studio around 9 AM ET on Thursday morning (July 16th).
Law enforcement sources told TMZ that the intruder managed to slip past security. TMZ says they were told the man was unarmed, and that he entered through a stairwell before making his way backstage.
Upon his arrival, the intruder allegedly asked to see weatherman Al Roker. When he couldn’t find Roker, he turned to co-host Craig Melvin. TMZ reports that the intruder “allegedly lunged at” Melvin while yelling a racial slur.
Staff and security rushed onto the scene soon after. The intruder was swiftly arrested, although he has not yet been publicly identified.
A man was detained after breaking into the ‘Today’ show’s studio in New York City on Thursday and confronting co-host Craig Melvin, yelling racial slurs, a source tells PEOPLE.
📷️: John Nacion/FilmMagic pic.twitter.com/ngBw1yXnoK
— People (@people) July 16, 2026
What Other Sources Say About The TODAY Show Intruder
PEOPLE jumped in to offer additional confirmation, reporting that “a source” confirmed similar details with them. PEOPLE also reports that the intruder “confronted” Melvin and was heard yelling racial slurs at the co-anchor.
Deadline confirmed that the incident occurred around 9 AM ET on Thursday morning. The outlet reports that no one was injured, and the whole thing happened off-air. Both Melvin and Roker appeared on TODAY‘s morning broadcast shortly after, and neither mentioned what happened.
CNN reports that investigators are trying to figure out how the intruder ended up in the secured area in the first place. The outlet spoke with an unidentified “law enforcement official” who said the man may face burglary charges, among others.
PEOPLE reached out to TODAY show reps for comment. As of press time, they have not responded.
This is a developing story…
