Temple Barricade A Hoax: Man Claimed To Be Armed With Explosives

LOS ANGELES, CA — An hours-long standoff ended Friday afternoon when police determined that a Palms area Temple, where a man claimed to have barricaded himself with guns and explosives was empty.

Los Angeles Police had evacuated a neighborhood in the Palms area where a man claiming to be armed with guns and explosives threatened to open fire, saying he had barricaded himself inside the religious facility.

The standoff began at 7 a.m. at the Hare Krishna Cultural Center at Regent Street and Watseka Avenue, according to LAPD spokesman Officer Greg Kraft. Roughly 40 people had to be evacuated from surrounding buildings.

"At this point we have not confirmed whether there is anyone inside the location or not, and we are proceeding with an abundance of caution," LAPD Officer Mike Lopez said shortly after 11 a.m.

Los Angeles Police Department negotiators attempted to reach the man before determining the Temple was empty. The neighborhood remained evacuated in the meantime.

There have been no injuries reported.

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