A man wielding two samurai swords was shot and killed by a security guard at the Church of Scientology’s Celebrity Center in Hollywood on Sunday. The guard was detained for questioning by police but released when surveillance records at the facility proved that he had used his sidearm in legitimate defense of himself and his two colleagues.

"The evidence is very clear the security officers were defending their safety," said Deputy Chief Terry S. Hara of the Los Angeles Police Department.

The guard’s name was not revealed by police; neither was that of the man killed in the incident. The man, who attacked at noon, had a history with the church, but was not currently a member, says an investigator. He arrived at the parking lot of the Centre in Bronson Avenue driving a red convertible; he got out and approached the three security guards waving a sword in each hand, says the police chief.

The attacker who looked to be in his 40s, was “close enough to hurt [the guards],” so one of them fired. The stranger was taken to County-USC Medical Center, but he was dead-on-arrival.

According to Detective Wendi Brendt, the man had been involved with the church “a long time ago.” She said that “there was a previous relationship, but it is unclear to what degree.”

The guards, part of a large detail including bike-mounted guardsmen, as well as security cameras all protect the eight-story building which was converted from a luxury hotel originally built in a 17h century French castle style. Thirty-nine years ago the church turned a building into a Celebrity Centre, which caters to "artists, politicians, leaders of industry, sports figures and anyone with the power and vision to create a better world." It includes a restaurant, theater and hotel.

Representatives of the Church of Scientology were not available for comment.