'Today' Show Suicide Attempt: Man Slits Wrists In Front Of Matt Lauer And Co-Hosts, Forces Broadcast To Move Indoors [VIDEO]

An unidentified male attempted to commit suicide outside the “Today” show studio in New York on Thursday morning. Hundreds of New Yorkers head to the studio at Rockefeller Plaza in the early mornings to catch a live taping of the show, which broadcasts part of its news program outdoors.

But at about 7:50 a.m. EST, the individual, reported to be an Asian man in his 50s, started to cut his wrists with a knife in front of a shocked audience and the broadcasters, leading "Today" co-host Matt Lauer to address the situation on the show alongside his co-hosts.

"Opening the 8 o’clock half-hour inside the studio today because there was an incident out on the plaza," host Matt Lauer explained. "A short time ago, a man out there attempted to harm himself with a knife. He did manage to cut himself. He was controlled by our security team out there. However, he did harm himself in some way. And so he’s now being attended to by medical personnel.”

Lauer, 55, later tweeted, “All secure on the plaza after a scary incident. Thanks to our security team and the NYPD. … Sorry, a man attempted to harm himself with a knife. He is under police control. In custody [sic].” The man is believed to have been ranting about the IRS ruining his life.

The NYPD and security staff drew their guns as the man began to cut his wrists and intervened immediately. He never tried to hurt any of the people nearby, and fell on the ground, which was covered in blood.

The remaining audience was then escorted away from the premises. The man was later transported to St. Luke’s Hospital.

Check out the video below: