I took a break from Fox to watch MSNBC and pay dirt. They were interviewing Col. Ricard Wagenaar of the Army Corps of Engineers who actually knew FIRSTHAND about this incident since the contractors reported to him directly. 14 contractors were fired upon by snipers in high rise project nearby. STATE POLICE fired back (compliments to NOPD were premature!). The Army Corps of Engineers are accompanied by armed security wherever they go, and some of the engineers are armed as well.
DoD employees (not contractors) can opt-in for weapons and must be trained.
I'd be very surprised if the contractors were armed, that would be unusual.
Having armed support would be expected.
Our very own war zone.
The helicopter that just crashed went down near the same bridge...hrmm *