DayZ Standalone Balota Shoot OUT

This is the first time i got a kill. usually i always go their hoping i would meet some nice people and get along. but every time i got to balota i get killed by a group of bandits, this has happened countless of times and i didnt want it to happen again. I played with some friends. and i felt guilty shooting first but balota is usually a "Shoot at Site" area. Iearned that the hard way.