Youths accused of breaking into NYC Church of Scientology building in latest viral 'speedrunning' trend

A Church of Scientology gathering successful New York City connected Saturday became the latest people successful a drawstring of nationwide "speedrunning" incidents that person gone viral connected societal media successful caller weeks.

A radical of youths allegedly broke done a locked doorway to participate the religion connected West 36th Street successful Manhattan astatine 4:30 p.m., according to the New York Police Department (NYPD).

Once inside, they allegedly threw objects, damaged spot and injured a unit member.

The incidental reflects a broader inclination fueled by TikTok, wherever participants movie themselves rushing done the Church of Scientology buildings to spot however acold they tin get earlier being stopped.

Young radical participating successful the viral "speedrunning' challenge, wearing masks and costumes. (AP Photos)

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Videos tied to the inclination person racked up millions of views, including clips from Hollywood Boulevard successful Los Angeles showing teens moving done a Scientology accusation center.

"I saw this antheral who was dressed successful this neon greenish inflatable costume, and him and a mates of his friends went wrong the gathering from the beforehand doorway erstwhile it was open," 1 witnesser told The Associated Press. "They passed the information guard. They passed aggregate workers."

In a connection to the Associated Press, the Church of Scientology condemned the "speedrunning" inclination arsenic disruptive. (Credit @VERSACERICKA)

Videos from these alleged "speedruns" captured throngs of mostly adolescents rushing done the religion building.

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Authorities person responded to aggregate complaints tied to the trend, portion the Church of Scientology has accused participants of crossing ineligible lines and putting unit astatine risk.

"Some online person referred to these incidents arsenic ‘speed running.’ In reality, they impact organized trespasses into spiritual and nationalist accusation facilities for societal media attention," the religion said successful its statement.

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"Church facilities are peaceful spaces designed to invited parishioners, visitors and members of the public. Turning them into targets for viral stunts is not journalism, protestation oregon civic activity. It is trespass, harassment, and disruption of spiritual spaces.

"The Church welcomes lawful visitors. It does not invited individuals forcing entry, damaging property, threatening oregon injuring people, oregon targeting spiritual facilities for online attention," it added.

Fox News Digital has reached retired to the Church of Scientology for further information.

One witnesser tells The Associated Press that portion helium knows that "speedrunning" is "technically not allowed," it "kind of adds to the lore of this place." (Credit @VERSACERICKA via AP)

No arrests person been made successful transportation to Saturday’s incident, and the NYPD said that they are continuing to investigate.

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Following a akin "large-scale incident" successful Los Angeles connected April 25, church officials said they were "reviewing each disposable remedies" and had made reports to instrumentality enforcement.

"There’s a definite mystique astir it," different witnesser told the Associated Press. "I bash get amusement retired of the velocity runs. I deliberation it’s beauteous comic to spot them interruption in. I cognize that technically it’s not allowed, but it benignant of adds to the lore of this place."

...I deliberation it’s beauteous comic to spot them interruption in.

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The Church of Scientology gathering is shown successful Los Angeles. (Bing Guan/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

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The inclination appears to person been started by an 18-year-old contented creator.

In March helium posted a video connected Instagram, which has since been removed, showing himself breaching the property. @swhileyy, who has not been publically identified, has since distanced himself from the trend.

"I bash not condone what I did, adjacent though I didn’t interruption immoderate laws," helium told the Hollywood Reporter past week. "I ne'er erstwhile successful immoderate video oregon immoderate remark conception oregon anyplace promoted the thought of moving done determination oregon beating my record."

The NYPD is investigating a caller "speedrunning" incidental successful the city. (iStock)

Founded by the sci-fi writer L. Ron Hubbard successful the 1950s, Scientology has agelong been the taxable of nationalist scrutiny. Many celebrities, including Tom Cruise, Danny Masterson and Leah Remini, are among the individuals who person been progressive with the Church of Scientology.

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The Associated Press contributed to this report.