Man With Sword Fatally Shot by Police at Church of Scientology in Inglewood; 2 Officers Struck by Gunfire

A sword-wielding suspect was fatally shot by police and two officers were struck by gunfire during an incident at a Church of Scientology in Inglewood Wednesday afternoon, police said.

The incident was reported at the church about 3:30 p.m. at 315 Market St., Inglewood Police Lt. Neal Cochran told KTLA. A man pulled up to the church in a white Bentley and entered with what police described as a samurai sword, then began making a scene, officials said. Police were called and there was a confrontation with the suspect in the lobby, police said. The suspect was struck in the head by gunfire, and the officers were shot, one in the hand and one in the arm. It is unclear how the officers were shot and police are working to determine if the suspect was also armed with a gun. The person, described only as an Asian man, was taken to a hospital in critical condition and later died, police said. Both officers and the suspect were taken to Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center. Several police vehicles responded to the scene outside of the church, aerial video from Sky5 showed.

The suspect’s Bentley remained at the scene. Later, Lt. Oscar Mejia said investigators were combing the scene for evidence and were reviewing video connected to the incident. A woman read text messages from her friend who was inside the church at the time of the shooting. The witness described the suspect as a “weird guy” who was “acting crazy.” Detectives are now trying to determine why the man went to the church and whether he knew anyone there, Mejia said. Investigators said they were speaking with more than five witnesses. In a statement, the Church of Scientology thanked Inglewood police for their quick response and protecting its parishioners and staffers. “These officers are doing a heroic job protecting the community and keeping houses of worship safe against hate crimes,” the church wrote. “We have offered our full support to the authorities who are investigating this incident.”

No two calls for service are the same, and most bring some inherent danger, but to the men and women that wear a badge, a call for service is a call of duty. The thoughts and prayers of the LAPD are with the 2 injured @Inglewood_PD officers tonight. (AP Photo/Reed Saxon) pic.twitter.com/89M14mXaeZ

— Chief Michel Moore (@LAPDChiefMoore) March 28, 2019

KTLA’s Matt Phillips contributed to this story.