On July 20, Sheinelle Jones filled in for Craig Melvin who is taking a pre-planned vacation
Credit: NBC
NEED TO KNOW
- Savannah Guthrie is back at studio 1A following the intruder incident which took place on Thursday, July 16
- The intruder confronted Craig Melvin during the security breach
- Melvin was absent from the show on July 20 for a pre-planned vacation
Savannah Guthrie returned to the anchor desk for the first time since Today’s shocking intruder incident.
On Monday, July 20, Guthrie kicked off the morning broadcast alongside Sheinelle Jones, who was filling in for co-anchor Craig Melvin. “We’ve got Sheinelle in for Craig who’s getting a little family vacation,” Guthrie said on air.
Guthrie’s appearance is her first since a man broke into the Rockefeller Plaza studio in New York City on the morning of July 16. The intruder allegedly confronted co-host Melvin, yelled racial slurs, and asked for Al Roker after getting past studio security.
Credit: NBC
The man was later identified as 41-year-old Andrew Truelove, who has a criminal history. He was charged with two felonies — burglary in the third degree as a hate crime, and menacing in the third degree as a hate crime, the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office said Friday, July 17. Truelove has been arraigned and a temporary order of protection against Truelove was put in place for Melvin and Al Roker.
If convicted, Truelove could face 15 years in prison. His next court date is set for July 22. PEOPLE has reached out to his lawyer, Lawrence Gerzog, for comment.
One day following the incident, Melvin appeared on the show on Friday and addressed the situation.
Credit: NBC
“You may have heard that unfortunately an intruder made his way into an unauthorized area here at Studio 1A,” he said on air. “Thankfully he was apprehended quickly, he was placed under arrest, we are cooperating fully with NYPD as they investigate the matter and we are just very happy that everyone is safe.”
“We want to make sure that you’re safe,” said Laura Jarrett, who was sitting in for Guthrie.”
“Safe and sound,” Melvin replied.
“Safe and sound at all times,” Jarrett added.
On Friday July 17, Melvin told viewers that Guthrie was getting an “early start” to the weekend and would return on July 20.
Meanwhile, Melvin will be absent from the Today show the week of July 20 for pre-planned time off, which is unrelated to the intruder incident.
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Guthrie will be taking more time off soon. On July 16, she announced on Today that she will be away for the next “few” weeks to film her new Wordle project.
“We’re about to do it. Guys, I’m headed over to shoot Wordle over the next few weeks,” Guthrie said of the upcoming game show, which will be executive-produced by Jimmy Fallon. “We’re going to shoot the whole season and we’re super excited.”
“I can’t wait for everyone to see it,” she added. “It’ll probably air, I think, in the new year.”
Guthrie has yet to address the intruder incident, but Melvin took to Instagram shortly after the situation happened on July 16 and wrote, “Hey everyone. I’ve heard from so many of you over the last few hours. I’m doing just fine. Thanks for reaching out. I’m looking forward to seeing you tomorrow morning on @todayshow.”
Roker posted a statement on Instagram the morning of July 17. “A really heartfelt thank you to all who reached out over the last 24 hours to check in on my brother, @craigmelvinnbc. We are both okay. It’s moments like these that serve to pull us together. You all, like Craig, said ‘You come after one of us, you come after all of us.’”
Credit: Nathan Congleton/NBC via Getty
NBC News issued a statement on July 16 confirming that “there was a security incident this morning at the Today show studio.” The statement said the man “approached” Melvin, “who alerted security,” and the intruder was then “detained and taken into custody by law enforcement without further incident.”
“There was no altercation, and no one was injured. 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,” the statement continued. “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.”
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