Teens Breach Scientology Church in NYC in Latest TikTok Speedrunning Incident

A Church of Scientology building in New York City became the latest target Saturday in a series of nationwide speedrunning incidents that have spread on social media.

Youths broke through a locked door to enter the church on West 36th Street in Manhattan at 4:30 p.m., the New York Police Department said. Inside, they threw objects, damaged property and injured a staff member.

The episode fits a TikTok trend where people film themselves rushing through Scientology buildings to test how far they get before security stops them. Videos from the trend have drawn millions of views, including footage of teens running through a Scientology information center on Hollywood Boulevard in Los Angeles.

One witness told the Associated Press, "I saw this man who was dressed in this neon green inflatable costume, and him and a couple of his friends went inside the building from the front door when it was open. They passed the security guard. They passed multiple workers."

Clips from the speedruns show crowds of mostly adolescents charging through the buildings.

Authorities have fielded multiple complaints about the trend. The Church of Scientology said participants cross legal lines and endanger staff.

"Some online have referred to these incidents as ‘speed running.’ In reality, they involve organized trespasses into religious and public information facilities for social media attention," the church said in a statement.

"Church facilities are peaceful spaces designed to welcome parishioners, visitors and members of the public. Turning them into targets for viral stunts is not journalism, protest or civic activity. It is trespass, harassment, and disruption of religious spaces. The Church welcomes lawful visitors. It does not welcome individuals forcing entry, damaging property, threatening or injuring people, or targeting religious facilities for online attention."

Fox News Digital sought additional comment from the church.

No arrests have occurred in the Saturday incident, and the NYPD continues its investigation.

Church officials reported a similar large-scale event in Los Angeles on April 25 to law enforcement and said they were reviewing remedies.

Another witness told the Associated Press, "There’s a certain mystique about it. I do get entertainment out of the speed runs. I think it’s pretty funny to see them break in. I know that technically it’s not allowed, but it kind of adds to the lore of this place."

An 18-year-old content creator appears to have started the trend. In March, @swhileyy posted an Instagram video of himself entering a Scientology property; the video has been removed. He has distanced himself from the trend.

"I do not condone what I did, even though I didn’t break any laws," he told the Hollywood Reporter last week. "I never once in any video or any comment section or anywhere promoted the idea of running through there or beating my record."

Scientology was founded in the 1950s by sci-fi writer L. Ron Hubbard. The church has faced public scrutiny for years. Celebrities such as Tom Cruise, Danny Masterson and Leah Remini have been involved.