Because they were, and they have said as much too. There was nobody else to target. You're aware it was a republican area right? There's no reason at all they would dream of shooting any of.the civilians there as they're on the same side. Don't believe me? How's about the assistant chief constable of the PSNI...
''This public order situation saw over 50 petrol bombs thrown at police, two cars hijacked and set on fire, and then unfortunately at 11 o’clock a gunman appeared and fired a number of shots towards police.''