Craig Melvin tells graduates to stop giving ‘soulless robot’ advice
When it comes to advice for graduates, NBC Today co-anchor Craig Melvin chose people over AI prompts in his Villanova University commencement speech.
The “Today” show anchor talks about the arrest of the intruder.
On the Friday, July 17 broadcast, Craig Melvin mentioned an incident the previous day involving someone who snuck into the studio and confronted him.
“Thankfully, he was arrested quickly. He was arrested,” the anchor said, adding that the show is “cooperating fully with the NYPD investigation. We’re just glad everyone is safe.”
Co-anchor Laura Jarrett, who was filling in for Savannah Guthrie, told Melvin, “We want to make sure you’re safe,” adding that he was “safe and sound.”
The New York City Police Department previously confirmed that a suspect was in custody after officers responded to a “disabled person” inside a building at 30 Rockefeller Center around 9 a.m. on July 16.
USA TODAY later learned that the suspect entered the building through the lobby and encountered Melvin, 47, on the stairs. They allegedly engaged in a verbal exchange that lasted less than 10 seconds before security officers restrained the suspect. Police arrested him shortly after.
People and TMZ further reported that the suspect was looking for weather anchor Al Roker when he started yelling racial slurs at Melvin.
Melvin addressed the situation in a statement posted on his official Instagram page on the same day, writing, “Hey everyone. So many of you have reached out to me in the last few hours. I’m fine. Thank you for reaching out to me. I look forward to seeing you tomorrow morning on @todayshow.”
Melvin also shared a statement from a spokesperson for the NBC program, confirming a “security incident” that said, “An individual entered an unauthorized area of the vestibule near Studio 1A. The individual approached anchor Craig Melvin and alerted security. The individual was taken into custody by law enforcement without further incident and was taken into custody. There was no altercation and no one was injured.”
“We are cooperating fully with law enforcement in their investigation,” the program continued. Today and NBC said in a statement: “We take the safety and security of our employees, talent, staff and guests very seriously. We are reviewing this incident and our security protocols and remain committed to providing a safe and secure environment for everyone who works at or visits our studios.”
As of July 16, the NYPD announced that the investigation was ongoing and charges were pending.
The suspect, identified by NBC News as Andrew Truelove, has an extensive criminal history, including multiple ongoing cases in New York for criminal mischief, assault, trespassing and reckless endangerment, according to records reviewed by USA TODAY.
Contributor: Taijuan Moorman, USA TODAY
