Middle Eastern Men With Backpacks and Weapons Detained in High Desert

by LA1 News

   San Bernardino County Sheriff's Deputies responded on Easter Morning to a 911 report of shots fired in the Deep Creek Hot Springs area of Apple Valley. The report came in to the Victor Valley sheriff's station of over 100 shots fired by men "wearing turbans." An aerial search was conducted due to the rugged terrain, which located a group of 17 men. They were allegedly found in possession of several handguns, one rifle and a shotgun.

   The men were, according to "Victor Valley News," interviewed by a local FBI agent and subjected to records checks. With no outstanding warrants or criminal histories, and weapons "registered with the Department of Justice except for the rifle," the detainees were let go. Despite interviews with several hikers in the area, no evidence was found to support the original 911 report of a crime of shots fired.

   Local online comments on the issue were to the point. Apple Valley, home of American western icon Roy Rogers and his wife Dale Evans, is an all-American town promising "A Better Way of Life." One comment thread reads: "released? are you kidding me? The terrorist that shot up IRC had his friggen wepons registered. Time to pertect [sic] ourselves, Next time i think its time time shoot back. or mybe us americans will get arrested for pertecting ourselves! Another more docile resident countered with, "It seems some anti-american second amendment haters walk their dogs out there... or something. Maybe the people who called the cops are really the terrorists... We better start arresting people for what they might do!"