News Service from House Harris

US: Man killed at Scientology building had church ties: police

LOS ANGELES, Nov 24 AP - A man who was shot and killed by a security guard after waving a pair of Samurai swords on the grounds of a Hollywood Scientology building had a "previous relationship" to the church, police said on Monday.

The unidentified man, described as being in his 40s, approached three guards on Sunday in the parking lot of the Scientology Celebrity Centre, Los Angeles Police Deputy Chief Terry Hara said.

The man was "close enough to hurt them" when one of the guards shot him, Hara said, and after questioning the guards and looking at surveillance tape decided the shooting was justified.

"The evidence itself, it's very, very clear," Hara said.

"The security officers were defending their safety."

Police said the tape showed the man appearing at about noon in a red convertible, then approaching the guards with a sword in each hand before he was shot, Hara said.

Detective Wendi Berndt told the Los Angeles Times the man had been involvedwith the church in the past.

"There was a previous relationship, but it is unclear to what degree," Berndt said.

Calls to Scientology representatives on Sunday were not returned.

The Celebrity Centre includes a seven-story Norman-revival landmark that towers over the Hollywood freeway and used to be a residential hotel for movie stars.

The castle-like facility now serves as "a home for the artist, a place where he can come and learn, attend seminars, meet other artists and even perform at our many showcases and events," according to the Centre's website.

The Church of Scientology was established in 1945 by science fiction writerL Ron Hubbard and claims 10 million members around the world, including celebrity devotees Tom Cruise and John Travolta.