Sword-wielding man who entered California Scientology church dead

Los Angeles (tca/dpa) - Two Inglewood police officers were shot on Wednesday when responding to reports of a man with a sword entering the Church of Scientology of Inglewood [south of Los Angeles], authorities said.Inglewood Police Lt Neal Cochran said the suspect entered the church wearing a hoodie about 3:30 pm [2230 GMT], 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 store that sells candles across the street from the church, said she heard a pop like a gunshot about 3:30 pm.Market Street was then closed off by authorities, she said, and she was told by police she couldn't leave the shop, Botanica La Milagrosa."They took a young man away in the ambulance," Hirsch said.Ron Sigur, 52, goes to the Bar and Grillon Market Street every week.When he arrived Wednesday about 4:30 pm, Sigur 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.Sigur said the police presence has been 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."