A guard at Scientology’s Celebrity Centre in Hollywood heroically shot to death a sword-wielding intruder (no doubt under the influence of Thetans) on Sunday.

Police did not release the name of the guard or the man killed in the shooting, which occurred about noon. The tape showed the man arriving at the Celebrity Centre’s Bronson Avenue parking lot in a red convertible, getting out of the vehicle and approaching a trio of security guards and waving a sword in each hand, Hara said.

He said the man, who was described as being in his 40s, was “close enough to hurt them” when the guard fired. The man was taken to County-USC Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead.

Det. Wendi Berndt said the man was involved with the church “a long time ago.”

A teenager who saw the man arrive in the parking lot said he stopped the car abruptly in the driveway and climbed out with a 5-foot sword in his hand and an angry expression on his face. Tony Marquez, 17, said the man, who was bald and had tattoos on his arms, walked toward the building, then returned to the car to get the other sword. “I thought it was part of a show,” said Marquez, of Ontario.

The incident occurred at one of Hollywood’s most distinctive landmarks. Originally a luxury hotel, the eight-story building was built in the style of a 17th century French castle with a striking white facade and turrets that loom over the nearby Hollywood Freeway. [LA Times]

I’ll say this for Scientology, church would probably be a lot more fun if you could see an angry tattooed bald guy carrying samurai swords and immediately assume he’s part of the regular sermon.  Though it doesn’t seem very sporting to build a castle in the middle of town and then when it gets attacked by a guy with a sword, you pull a gun on him.  I mean, pour hot oil on the guy or shoot him with a crossbow, at least be consistent.

L. Ron Hubbard book picture source = Cracked