NBC News has fired a security guard who allegedly allowed a crazed man to get into the “Today” show, Page Six has learned.
An intruder looking for Al Roker was arrested after breaking into the “Today” show studio and confronting Craig Melvin on Thursday morning.
Sources tell us that security video shows two guards on duty when the terrifying breach happened. In the tape, one guard steps away, and the other guard misses the intruder as he slips in.
It’s unclear which of the guards was the one to lose their job over the security debacle, but insiders say that show staff were sad to learn of the dismissal because he was a well-liked presence in the building.
Reps for “Today” declined to comment.
Page Six confirmed earlier that the intruder slipped past security at the NBC show’s New York City headquarters and asked Melvin, 47, for Roker, 71, after being unable to find him.
The maniac got as far as the staircase inside the studio when he approached Melvin, but our sources confirmed he did not enter the actual filming studio.
After Melvin called security, the man was detained and arrested.
The New York Police Department confirmed to Page Six that the man, identified as Andrew Truelove, was booked on a slew of charges including hate crime menacing, hate crime burglary, hate crime criminal trespass and harassment charges after being arrested earlier in the day.
The Post confirmed via cops and sources that the 41-year-old man called Melvin the N-word during the incident, which happened right before 9 a.m.
Melvin took to Instagram after the incident to let his fans know he was OK, writing, “Hey everyone. I’ve heard from so many of you over the last few hours. I’m doing just fine. Thanks for reaching out.”
He also shared he was not taking time off after the scary confrontation.
“I’m looking forward to seeing you tomorrow morning on @todayshow,” he wrote.
The “Today” show also shared a statementregarding the incident, noting they were “reviewing the incident and our security protocols.”
“TODAY is cooperating fully with law enforcement as they investigate the matter,” the statement read. “NBC and TODAY take the safety and security of our employees, talent, staff and guests extremely seriously.”
The program added that they’re “committed to providing a safe and secure environment for everyone who works at and visits our studios.”
The post NBC News fires security guard over ‘Today’ show fiasco where intruder confronted Craig Melvin with racial slur appeared first on Page Six.
