You know some gangs in the US have merged with al quaeda. I wouldn't be surprised if AQ had the ak-47s and are shooting the guard.
I think it's probably just thugs shooting, but thugs do have a serious admiration thing going for Osama, AQ, etc. I remember a couple of very creepy Osama-exalting jackets on rap albums after 9/11 and even more recently.