Same reason folks are in MacDonald’s when a gang goes nuts and involves them in their violence...he was attacked and probably because he was White and they thought their numbers gave them protection.
In all probability, they were after someone else and he got involved. Being a mountain boy, he can be excused for “not knowing”. I live in the hills but I was raised in the city. I know when the schick goes down, you make yourself scarce. When they get in that state, they ain’t particular about who they attack.