Washington, D.C. TV Anchor Leon Harris Taking Leave of Absence for ‘Health Issues’ After Concerning Thanksgiving Broadcast

Viewers noted online that Harris, 63, seemed to struggle during NBC4 News' Thanksgiving day broadcast

A news anchor for NBC News in Washington, D.C. is stepping away from the desk after a recent segment prompted concern from audiences. 

NBC4 News issued a statement on-air and on its website on Monday, Dec. 2 saying that news anchor Leon Harris, 63, would be “stepping away” from the broadcast to “focus on health issues" after appearing "unwell."

“We here at NBC4 — and you at home — care deeply about Leon and wish him well. We thank you for your concern,” the station announced.

The network did not detail what kind of health issues the journalist is facing or when he will return.

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NBC4 News did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for more information on the incident. 

This comes after Harris appeared to slur his words and stumbled while reading from a teleprompter during NBC4 News’ Thanksgiving broadcast. In one post on X, a viewer noted that Harris seemed to struggle to read the script while broadcasting. Another wrote on X that the segment had been “hard to watch.”

This prompted several viewers to submit “phone and email” notes to the station in regards to Harris. NBC4 News’ meteorologist Ryan Miller appeared to acknowledge viewer concerns on-air during the same broadcast, saying, “We want to assure you that our colleague Leon Harris is fine.”

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Harris was previously absent from the broadcast in September in order to recover from a foot injury sustained at his home and stepped away in 2013 in order to seek treatment for necrotizing pancreatitis, which left him hospitalized in the intensive care unit, according to the Washington Post.

The journalist was also arrested for DUIs in 2013 and 2022, which he has previously addressed on-air. Following his latest run-in with the law, he reiterated his commitment to staying sober.

“I made a terrible mistake,” he said in 2022, per the Washington Post. “After drinking, I decided to get into my car and drive. This is the worst decision I could possibly have made.”

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Following the release of NBC4 News’ statement, several well-wishers voiced their support for Harris, including former Washington Post editor Robert McCartney, who wrote on X, “Wishing Harris well.”  

NASA aviation expert Shawn Chittle also wrote on X, “Get better soon Leon Harris!”