Well, I know ONE mercenary who's not getting his pay.
But in all honesty, I have to call BS on this. I've heard many a tale in my lifetime, but believe you me, I can't believe for a second that someone who's never seen such a weapon before, aimed at them, and being in 'close' proximity of the firing of said weapon, would decide it was best to: "walk slightly faster".
And I've no experience in this, but you said you heard gunshots. I'm gonna go ahead and predict that the gunshots from a rifle are awfully loud. And that place looks like it'd be pretty populated. So that makes me wanna ask, what the fuck
No, wait. It's not worth it. I'm gonna guess that by today you got an answer? What'd the police do/say about it?