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Man Jumps Barricades at 'Today Show'

By DNAinfo Staff on February 22, 2011 3:58pm

By Jennifer Glickel

DNAinfo Reporter/Producer

ROCKEFELLER PLAZA — An emotionally disturbed man gave the hosts of NBC's "Today Show" a scare on Tuesday morning when he jumped the barricades at the show's taping in Rockefeller Plaza.

The man, who police said is 33 years old, jumped over the barricade screaming, "I'm God's gift to music," according to co-host Al Roker.

Police were called to the scene about 8:14 a.m. and the man, who had been apprehended by members of the NYPD's Paid Detail Unit, was brought to Roosevelt Hospital for psychiatric evaluation, according to the NYPD.

"A young man jumped over a barricade," Police Commissioner Ray Kelly told reporters on Tuesday. "He got close to them [Today Show hosts], but officers stopped him."

Meredith Vieira could be heard screaming when the man lunged at her, Roker, and Willie Geist while they were speaking on the plaza. The broadcast immediately switched to inside the NBC studios where Ann Curry picked up for the frazzled co-hosts outside.

Police said that no one was injured in the incident.