A Church of Scientology building in New York City became the latest target in a bizarre and rapidly growing social media trend Saturday, as a group of youths allegedly stormed the Manhattan facility during what online users call a “speedrun” challenge.
According to the New York Police Department, the incident happened around 4:30 p.m. at the Church of Scientology building on West 36th Street. Authorities say a group allegedly forced their way through a locked door before rushing inside, where they reportedly threw objects, damaged property, and injured a staff member.
No arrests have been announced so far, but the NYPD confirmed the investigation remains ongoing.
The chaos is part of a strange TikTok-fueled trend that has exploded online over the last several weeks. Participants film themselves entering Scientology buildings and racing through hallways, lobbies, and information centers to see how far they can get before security stops them.
The videos are racking up millions of views.
Some clips from Los Angeles show crowds of teenagers sprinting through a Scientology information center on Hollywood Boulevard while recording reactions from employees and security guards. The videos often resemble internet prank content mixed with live-action chaos, complete with costumes, screaming participants, and crowds filming on phones.
One witness in Manhattan described seeing individuals rush into the building while bypassing staff.
“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,” the witness told The Associated Press. “They passed the security guard. They passed multiple workers.”
Additional footage circulating online appears to show large groups of mostly adolescents flooding into Scientology properties as part of the challenge.
Church officials are not treating the incidents as harmless internet stunts.
In a sharply worded statement, the Church of Scientology accused participants of engaging in organized trespassing campaigns designed purely for online attention.
“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.
“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 added that while lawful visitors are welcome, people forcing entry, damaging property, threatening staff, or injuring workers would not be tolerated.
The New York incident follows a similar large-scale disruption in Los Angeles on April 25. After that event, Scientology officials said they were reviewing “all available remedies” and had filed reports with law enforcement.
What makes the trend especially strange is that even some observers admit they find the videos entertaining despite acknowledging the obvious legal issues.
“There’s a certain mystique about it,” another witness told the Associated Press. “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.”
The trend reportedly traces back to an 18-year-old content creator known online as @swhileyy, who posted a video in March showing himself entering a Scientology property. The original video has since been removed, and the creator has publicly distanced himself from what the trend has become.
“I do not condone what I did, even though I didn’t break any laws,” he told The Hollywood Reporter. “I never once in any video or any comment section or anywhere promoted the idea of running through there or beating my record.”
Founded in the 1950s by science fiction writer L. Ron Hubbard, the Church of Scientology has long attracted public fascination, criticism, and controversy. Celebrities associated with the church over the years have included Tom Cruise, Danny Masterson, and Leah Remini.
