Trigger warning shooting near me

Trigger warning

I heard gunshots and couldnt process it. For context I live next to a city and this city is not safe. Picture something like nyc where there is a lot of crime. Im used to getting alerts on shootings and robberies but never been so close to one. I go to college in the city and was walking to grab a bite to eat and I was about a building away when I hear three loud boom sounds. Instantly think they sound like gunshots and I see a few people running and then go into a building. Idky I kept walking I couldnt process it but then I saw a whole crowd running so I turned around and walked away. Moments later I see police cars everywhere. I really hoped it wasnt a shooting but it was. Thankfully no one was hurt. Apparently cars were shooting at each other and drove off which is crazy to think they could have passed me without me knowing.

I have heard what I think were gunshots in the past but I couldnt confirm if they were actually gunshots. Another time when I wasnt home someone was shot a few streets away from me because they were coming from the city and were targeted. Im not sure what to feel. On one hand I feel fine on the other hand I feel scared maybe uneasy? But also grateful. It reminds me how precious life is and how easily it can be taken away. Not sure how to describe it.

I told my friends that I was meeting up with later about it and I pretended that it didnt affect me because there has been so much violence going on but it really makes me sad. As I said no one was hurt but imagine someone did get hurt I was there and I just had to walk away? Carry on with my day? At first I thought I was crazy because after I crossed the street literally down the street people were walking normally as if they didnt hear gunshots? I dont want anyone to worry for me so I never told my family so Im sharing it here instead. Its bizarre because had I been thirty seconds earlier I would have directly been in the shooting which is something hard to process. I am glad everyone is safe and whoever is reading this please stay safe <3