Man charged with hate crimes after confrontation with 'Today' show's
Melvin at NBC studio
[July 18, 2026]
NEW YORK (AP) — A 40-year-old New York man faces hate crime charges
following a confrontation with “Today" show host Craig Melvin at NBC's
studio in Manhattan.
The man was arrested Thursday morning inside 30 Rockefeller Center in
Midtown by an officer responding to reports of a disorderly individual
inside the building, police said Friday.
NBC News says in a statement that an individual approached Melvin after
entering an unauthorized area in a vestibule near Studio 1A. Melvin
notified security, who held the man until police arrived, according to
NBC.
No altercation occurred and no injuries were reported. NBC did not say
how the man gained access to the area.
“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,” the network said in a statement.
The man has been charged with burglary, menacing and criminal trespass
as hate crimes, as well as harassment. It was not clear Friday if has
appeared in court or if he has an attorney.
Police did not say what led to the hate crime enhancements on the
charges. Police records show a court date has been scheduled for
Wednesday.
Melvin, who is Black, discussed the incident on-air Friday morning.
“Unfortunately, an intruder made his way into an unauthorized area here
at Studio 1A,” Melvin said. “Thankfully, he was apprehended quickly. He
was placed under arrest. We are just very happy that everyone is safe.”
Melvin also posted about the incident on Instagram.
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This combo image shows Al Roker, left, and Craig Melvin attending
the 31st Broadcasting and Cable Hall of Fame Awards gala at the
Ziegfeld Ballroom on May 3, 2023, in New York. (AP Photo/CJ Rivera,
File)
 “Hey everyone. I’ve heard from so
many of you over the last few hours,” he wrote on Thursday. “I’m
doing just fine. Thanks for reaching out."
Longtime “Today" show meteorologist Al Roker also took to social
media to thank everyone reaching out to check on Melvin.
“We are both okay,” Roker posted on Instagram. “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.’”
Melvin and Roker are among a relatively small group of prominent
Black journalists and anchors with regular, highly visible roles on
national broadcast network news programs.
Melvin joined NBC and MSNBC in 2011, according to the “Today” show’s
website. He replaced Hoda Kotb in 2025 as co-host of the 7 a.m. to 9
a.m. hours of “Today.” He had been hosting the show’s third hour
while serving as the news anchor during the first two hours.
Roker also is a feature anchor on “Today” and co-host of the show’s
third hour. He joined the show in 1996. Roker also co-hosted the
“Wake Up with Al” morning show on the Weather Channel from 2009 to
2015.
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