Deputies from the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Office and other agencies responded to a report of "Allahu Akbar" chanting, turban-wearing men shooting assault rifles, handguns and shotguns in a remote desert area, officials have confirmed.
The incident took place Sunday in the Deep Creek Hot Springs area of Apple Valley, according to Victor Valley News.
The area is just north of the city of San Bernardino, where in December two Muslims attacked a Christmas party, killing 14 and injuring another 22. The two terrorists later died in a shootout with police.
The Victor Valley News said witnesses told a 9-1-1 operator that more than 100 shots were heard, and five to seven subjects wearing turbans were seen in the area shooting assault rifles, handguns and shotguns.
The news site said a reporting party told dispatchers there were 15 or more possibly armed men "of Middle Eastern" descent who were camped out in the area, "chanting loudly through the night in what was believed to be their native language."
Sheriff's officers who arrived first said a number of men, when approached, grabbed their possessions and began hiking toward a parking lot.
"During the hike, the men reportedly huddled up in possible discussion and at one point split up into two groups," the report said.
CBS reported the investigation involved both federal and local law-enforcement officers, and a total of 17 suspects.
"Officials say the men were cooperative as they were detained and searched," CBS reported. "All 17 men were eventually released because sheriff's investigators say they had no outstanding warrants or criminal histories."
A sheriff's spokesman said, "There was no evidence found that a crime had been committed by any of the subjects who were detained and they were released.
But reports also said the FBI may conduct further interviews.
Â