Sword-wielding attacker shot and killed by Scientology security guard identified

Man Shot, Killed at Los Angeles Scientology Building Identifed

A former Scientologist who went to the church’s Celebrity Centre in Hollywood armed with two samurai swords and apparently tried to attack security guards, one of whom fatally shot him, was identified today as an Oregon resident.

The shooting occurred about noon Sunday at the iconic building at 5930 Franklin Ave., where many celebrity Scientologists have stayed and attended programs.

Mario Majorski, 48, of Florence, Ore., died at County-USC Medical Center, according to police and coroner’s officials.

Police said surveillance footage supported the guard’s statement that he fired his semiautomatic handgun to protect himself and two other guards.

“The evidence is very clear the security officers were defending their safety,” said LAPD Deputy Chief Terry S. Hara.

Security caneras captured him driving into the Celebrity Centre’s Bronson Avenue parking lot in a red Toyota Solara, getting out of the convertible and approaching three security guards waving a sword in each hand, Hara said.

The man was “close enough to hurt them” when the guard shot him once, Hara said.

The guard worked for a private security company and had a license to carry a weapon, he said.

LAPD Detective Wendi Berndt told the Los Angeles Times that Majorski had been involved with the church “a long time ago,” but was not a current member.
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Detective Wendi Berndt said Monday that 48-year-old Mario Majorski was shot once as he tried to attack guests with a pair of samurai swords a day earlier. He was pronounced dead at the hospital.

Berndt says Majorski was known to the security guards and had been involved in prior incidents. She did not have any information on these.

Majorski did not live in Southern California and detectives were trying to establish if he had come here to carry out the attack.

• Update: Swordsman Had Threatened Scientology Before