What were the villagers doing that caused the Americans to fire on them? Running toward the helicopter, shouting and gesticulating? (Of course, they may have been hoping the Americans would let them on board and fly them out of Libya.)
Those were my thoughts, although I'd first put my money on "It didn't happen and this is just a lefty reporter making up stories out of whole cloth."
A “friend” of mine once explained the reactions of locals to seeing military forces of other countries. If the flag is from the U.S., run toward it, you might get something. If the flag is from another country, run away, they will probably shoot you. I guess we are trying to be just like all the other countries.
Rule: Never get between a downed pilot and the Pavehawk crew sent to rescue them - that is their sole reason for existing - "recover the pilot".