A viral social media claim that Church of Scientology buildings in Hollywood are now locking doors from the inside to thwart teen speedruns has spread across social media platforms and deepened debate around the stunt.
In recent weeks, a series of videos circulating on social media has shown groups of teenagers sprinting into the Church of Scientology information centre on Hollywood Boulevard as part of an online challenge known as 'speedruns', prompting allegations that the church has responded by securing its doors from within to prevent further incursions. At the same time, law enforcement agencies in Los Angeles are probing the incidents as possible criminal and safety matters.
NEW: Hollywood Scientology buildings have reportedly chained doors shut from the inside to stop the viral teen speedruns.
— Polymarket (@Polymarket) April 27, 2026
Viral 'Speedruns' Spark Global Online Frenzy
The phenomenon began when a TikTok creator identified by the handle Swhileyy filmed himself running through the lobby of a Church of Scientology building in Hollywood, California, with the footage accumulating tens of millions of views before it was deleted. From that initial clip, the so-called 'Scientology run' challenge spread rapidly on social platforms, with participants racing into church premises to see how far they could penetrate before being confronted by staff or security.
In the videos, groups of teenagers are seen bursting through front doors, sprinting down hallways, sounding air horns and disrupting daily operations at the Scientology Information Center on Hollywood Boulevard, often laughing and recording the stunt for social media. Staffers are shown attempting to block their progress, with one male employee knocked to the ground during an incident that lasted mere moments before the teens fled through an emergency exit.
The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) has confirmed it is investigating at least one of these events as a potential hate crime and battery case because of the moment when a staff member was knocked down, though he did not appear seriously injured. Authorities also stress that the investigation is ongoing and highlight the complex blend of trespass, property disruption and the potential for injury embedded in these viral provocations.
Claims of Locked Doors and Heightened Security
Amid these videos, viral posts on platforms like X and Facebook claim that some Scientology locations have gone beyond routine security measures, allegedly chaining or locking internal doors from the inside to keep out would-be speedrunners. While these claims have spread widely, conclusive evidence from credible outlets confirming such specific security practices remains limited. Many reports focus instead on the incident footage itself and the broader trend of social media-driven trespasses.
Still, anecdotal reactions and comments from online users hint at a perception that the unusual magnitude of these breaches has forced management at certain locations to tighten internal access controls — a narrative reflected in some user-generated posts circulating across Instagram and X. What is clear is that the trend has strained the tolerance of both property owners and law enforcement.
Broader Reactions and Controversy
Reports suggest critics outside the church have been sharply divided on the trend. Some observers ridicule the spectacle as a mischievous fad, while others argue it unfairly targets a religious organisation with a long history of controversy and secrecy. Former Scientology member and prominent critic Leah Remini has condemned the viral challenges, arguing that participants were 'unwittingly helping' the church rather than exposing it.
Legal experts warn that participating in or encouraging trespassing, disrupting business operations, or interfering with staff duties can expose individuals to arrest and prosecution under local laws. Indeed, courts and police departments are now grappling with how to categorise and respond to such social media‑fuelled episodes, balancing free expression concerns against public safety and property rights.
The LAPD investigation is ongoing. The Scientology Information Center on Hollywood Boulevard has not issued a public statement on the door-locking claims. TikTok has not commented on whether the challenge videos violate its community guidelines.
