‘Swordsman’ killed, two officers shot at Scientology centre in California

Two Inglewood, California police officers were shot on Wednesday when responding to reports of a man with a sword entering the local Scientology branch, authorities said.

Inglewood Police Lieutenant Neal Cochran said the suspect entered the building wearing a hoodie at about 3:30pm and it is unclear what happened inside.

One officer was shot in the hand, the other in the forearm. Neither injury was believed to be life-threatening.

The suspect was taken to a hospital in critical condition but is believed to be dead, authorities said.

No other injuries beyond the officers and suspect were reported, according to Los Angeles County Fire Department.

Witnesses at the scene on Market Street in downtown Inglewood said the area had been closed off by police.

Rebecca Hirsch, an employee at a shop that sells candles across the road from the centre, said she heard a pop like a gunshot about 3:30pm.

Market Street was then closed off by authorities, she said, and she was told by police she could not leave her shop.

“They took a young man away in the ambulance,” Hirsch said.

Ron Sigur, 52, goes to the Bar and Grill on Market Street every week. When he arrived on Wednesday about 4:30pm, he was surprised by all the police tape cordoning off about three blocks.

“I thought it might have been the bar that was shot up,” Sigur said.

He said the police presence was heavy.

Two hours after the shooting, a group of about 15 law enforcement officers stood near the corner of Market Street and Nutwood Street.

“The police aren’t playing around – all of them are out here,” Sigur said. “This is my city, I live in Inglewood. I want to know what happened.”