Below are four reports about this incident. Only the sensationalistic SuperStation95 claims that these Muslims opened fire on hikers and campers, which would seem to be difficult to cover up if true; however, I’ve included their report here because it contains numerous photos of those who were arrested, as well as messages from a witness that came in as it was all happening. None of the three other reports say they were shooting at anyone; apparently they were just practicing shooting, but the screams of “Allahu akbar,” reported in two of the stories, certainly should make these men worth watching. But most likely they will not be.
SuperStation95: Muslims fire on hikers and campers, scream “Allahu akbar”: “Shots Fired At Campers/Hikers In Apple Valley – Hot Springs, CA; Armed Terror Cell Near Los Angeles? Cops Responded — Then Let Them All Go !!!!,” SuperStation95, March 27, 2016 (thanks to Pamela Geller):
8:28 PM EDT Sunday, 27 March — A heavily armed group of men with Middle Eastern appearance was arrested two hours ago outside Los Angeles after opening fire upon Hikers and Campers in a large State Park in the area.
THIS STORY HAS BEEN UPDATED BELOW WITH AN OFFICIAL STATEMENT FROM THE SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT
Photos taken by one of the victims of the attack have been supplied to SuperStation95 as have screen shots of MMS messages sent/received during the incident. They appear below.
No word yet from authorities about the identities or affiliation of the men arrested. The Adelanto, CA Police Department effectuated the arrests.
According to the victim/witness, there were two groups of men, about 15 per group, armed with heavy weapons, who began shouting “Allah u Akbar” and started firing. The firing allegedly lasted upwards of TWO HOURS before police were able to find callers in the vast California parkland.
When police were responding, one group of 15 or so men took-off into the hills, while the other group was captured by police.
According to one of the victim/witnesses, his cellphone GPS map indicates below where the incident took place:
Police responded and quickly made several arrests as shown in the photos below (Click Image to Enlarge):
A call to the Adelanto, CA Police Department went to the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department and a new “twist” developed.” Kathy, from that department told SuperStation95 “I checked on this and the incident was unfounded.” When told we had photos of almost ten police cars and fourteen men in handcuffs, Kathy responded “You’ll have to contact the Public Information Officer” and gave us an e-mail address to do so!
You’re looking at the pictures; does this look “unfounded” to you?…
See the photos here.
Victor Valley News: Shots fired, but not apparently at anyone, no “Allahu akbar”: “Report of 15 Men With Guns Detained at Deep Creek,” by Christie Martin, Victor Valley News, March 28, 2016 (thanks to Jim):
APPLE VALLEY-(VVNG.com): At 9:20 a.m. on Sunday morning multiple agencies including the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s deputies from the Victor Valley Station responded the report of suspicious circumstances at Deep Creek hot springs area.
Per scanner traffic, the reporting party told dispatchers that there were fifteen or more possibly armed men of middle eastern descent that camped out at the location chanting loudly through the night in what was believed to be their native language. Some of the men, believed to be in their 20’s went to a secluded area to shoot at around 3:00 a.m. Witnesses said that the shots fired sounded louder than that of handguns.
The Sheriff’s helicopter was the first on scene and they reported that when the men saw them they grabbed their things and began hiking toward the Bowen Ranch parking lot. The helicopter followed as deputies were en route to the location. The deputies arrived at the Bowen Ranch parking lot and waited for the men to approach.
The men continued to hike for around 20 minutes with backpacks and other bulky items. During the hike, the men reportedly huddled up in possible discussion and at one point split up into two groups.
When deputies approached the men all complied and were patted down. After all were patted down and cuffed, deputies requested an area search since they believed they could have ditched weapons while hiking the trails. Deputies searched for over an hour and did not locate any weapons left behind.
It is unclear if any weapons were located in the possession of the suspects. San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Spokeswoman, Olivia Bozek said, “The deputies detained the subjects and from what I was told they are going to be transported to the High Desert Detention Center. I do not know what charges they are going to be booked for.”…
Here is the LA Times report: no firing on anyone, no “Allahu akbar.” “FBI investigating reports of Middle Eastern men fired hundreds of shots in Apple Valley,” by Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, March 29, 2016:
The FBI on Tuesday was continuing to question people after receiving reports from campers that a group of armed men in a remote part of Apple Valley fired hundreds of shots Sunday morning.
San Bernardino County sheriff’s deputies and an FBI agent responded to the area known as Deep Creek Hot Springs after reports of gunshots and chanting in the predawn hours, officials said. According to law enforcement sources, 17 men of Middle Eastern descent were detained.
But none were arrested or charged in connection with shooting firearms and they cooperated with deputies, authorities said.
San Bernardino County sheriff’s spokeswoman Jodi Miller said the men were released after authorities found no evidence of a specific crime or outstanding warrants.
“None of the persons interviewed yesterday were identified as terrorists,” she said.
One rifle did not have a serial number because it was bought in parts, Miller said. But it was deemed to be legal in California. She said the FBI may be conducting additional interviews with the men.
FBI spokeswoman Laura Eimiller said agents are working with local authorities to determine if crimes were committed.
A caller to 911 reported hearing more than 100 shots fired and seeing several men wearing turbans in the area of the shooting.
With the assistance of a sheriff’s helicopter, deputies located the men walking away from a creek carrying backpacks and other items.
A search found several handguns, a rifle and a shotgun, according to a sheriff’s statement.
“A records check of the subjects, their weapons, and their vehicles was completed,” the statement said. “The records check revealed none of the subjects had a criminal history or outstanding warrants, the weapons were registered with the Department of Justice except for the rifle, and the vehicles were also registered.”
Sheriff’s investigators contacted several hikers, but none witnessed the guns being fired. “There was no evidence found that a crime had been committed by any of the subjects who were detained, and they were released,” the department said….
CBS Local: no hikers even witnessed any shots fired, but “Allahu akbar” was heard: “17 Men Reportedly Heard Chanting, Firing Off Shots In Apple Valley Detained, Released,” CBSLA.com, March 29, 2016:
APPLE VALLEY (CBSLA.com) — Federal and local law enforcement authorities Tuesday are investigating after 17 men were detained for reportedly firing off hundreds of rounds in a remote part of Apple Valley.
San Bernardino County Sheriff’s deputies and an FBI agent were among the units that detained the men – reportedly all of Middle Eastern descent – who were camping out in the Deep Creek Hot Springs area Sunday morning, authorities said.
A 911 caller reported hearing over 100 shots fired and seeing five to seven men wearing turbans and shooting “assault rifles, handguns, and shotguns,” according to a Sheriff’s Department statement.
A county sheriff’s helicopter located the men walking near a creek with backpacks “and other items”, The Los Angeles Times reported.
Officials say the men were cooperative as they were detained and searched.
Several handguns, a rifle, and a shotgun were found at the scene, but a records check found all the weapons were registered with the exception of the rifle, which reportedly didn’t have a serial number because it was purchased in parts, an FBI spokesperson told The Times.
Police scanner traffic posted online by the Victor Valley News Group described “a large group of subjects wearing turbans and chanting” at the scene.
“They were up all night chanting ‘Allah akbar’-type stuff,” an unidentified officer is heard saying on the audio recording.
None of the hikers interviewed by Sheriff’s investigators say they witnessed any shots being fired, according to Sheriff’s officials.
A photo of the arrests showing several men handcuffed at the scene was posted by the Victor Valley News Group but was not immediately confirmed by authorities.
All 17 men were eventually released because Sheriff’s investigators say they had no outstanding warrants or criminal histories.
“There was no evidence found that a crime had been committed by any of the subjects who were detained and they were released,” a Sheriff’s spokesperson said….