A man attempted to commit suicide outside of the "Today" show's studio according to Fox News. Click here for photos.
Pak Chong Mar, 57, made the attempt just hours before the show was set to air.
"There was an incident out on the plaza. A man tried to harm himself with a knife. He did manage to cut himself," host Matt Lauer. "He was controlled by our security team out there. He's being treated by medical personnel."
Chong was later transferred to Bellevue Hospital.
During the live broadcast, Lauer kept viewers updated. The window that usually gives a view of New York City and the shows supporters remained and said "Mar said something about not wanting to harm others, but did want to cause harm to himself."
According to the New York Daily News, before causing a bloody scene, Mar said "the IRS is watching me" as he handed out fliers and continued to complain about being mistreated by the IRS.
"He threw the papers up because nobody was taking them. He started cutting his wrist. People were running and screaming," said witness, Kimberlee Sangiovanni, a witness.
"I saw him take slice after slice. I saw the blood gushing. The first thing I thought about was that soldier in London, and I thought, 'Oh my God, this is happening,'" said Kellie, Sangiovanni's twin sister.
Mar is expected to make a full recovery. His mental state is questionable. Authorities have not released a statement on the incident, but Lauer used Twitter to keep fans updated. He also thanked the efforts of the show's security team and the New York Police Department who pepper-sprayed Mar and tackled him despite his bloody state.
