People just dont walk down the street and decide, hey i think i'll shoot that stranger just because. I have worked in 2 of the roughest parts of the city for a while now, i have had people walk by me and tell me "watch yourself out here" and say things like "your out of your element, you sure your not lost". If you keep your mouth shut and mind your own business, you'll be ok.
But when you hang out with someone whose always arguing and slandering and fighting a group of homeys from some area, you might get shot, guilty by association - someone might decide to make an example out of you. or if you get involved in some drug dealings or try to get over on someone your putting yourself at risk.
The problem is everyone wants to prove how "bad arse" they are. Your in a questionable area and someone gives you some crap, don't turn around and start up with them, just walk away. But young guys cant do that, 15 yr old kid was shot right across the street from a house i'm rehabbing, why ? He got in a fight and beat some guy up, later the guy and his frineds are rolling down the street, the kid is hanging on the corner - walks out and says c'mon i'll kick your butt again and approaches, they pull out a pistol and shoot him in the head, and just keep walking. But why is that 15 year old kid out there trying to be the tough guy of the neighborhood, why is he looking for trouble. Sure, they say he was a good kid and loved by everyone on his block, But he was known for being a fighter and thats what got him in trouble.