NEW YORK — A 40-year-old man in New York is facing hate crime charges after an incident involving “Today” show host Craig Melvin at NBC studios in Manhattan.
Police reported that the man was arrested Thursday morning at 30 Rockefeller Center after officers responded to complaints about a disorderly person inside the building.
According to NBC News, the individual approached Melvin after entering a restricted area near Studio 1A. Melvin alerted security and kept the man there until law enforcement arrived.
No physical confrontation occurred, and there were no injuries reported. NBC did not clarify how the man accessed that area.
In a statement, NBC expressed, “We are reviewing the incident and our security protocols and remain committed to providing a safe and secure environment for everyone who works at or visits our studios.”
The charges against the man include harassment, hate crime theft, menacing, and trespassing. It’s currently unclear if he appeared in court on Friday or if he has legal representation.
Details regarding the motivations for the hate crime enhancement have not been released by the police. A trial is set for Wednesday, according to police databases.
Melvin, who is Black, shared his thoughts on the incident during a broadcast on Friday morning.
“Unfortunately, an intruder has entered an unauthorized area here in Studio 1A,” Melvin stated, adding, “Thankfully, he was arrested quickly. I’m just glad everyone is safe.”
Melvin also addressed the matter on Instagram, saying, “Hello everyone. Many of you have reached out to me in the last few hours. I’m doing well. Thank you for contacting me.”
Al Roker, a veteran “Today” show meteorologist, also expressed gratitude to those who checked on Melvin via social media. He wrote, “We’re both okay. Moments like this help bring us together. Like Craig, you all said, ‘You go after one of us, you go after all of us.'”
Both Melvin and Roker are part of a smaller group of prominent Black journalists and anchors who hold notable roles on national network news shows.
Melvin began his career with NBC and MSNBC in 2011. He is set to co-host “Today” from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. starting in 2025, following his role as news anchor for the show’s first two hours and hosting the third hour.
Roker has been a prominent figure on “Today” since 1996 and co-hosted the third hour. He also led the Weather Channel’s morning show “Wake Up with Al” from 2009 to 2015.
