That's kind of how settler colonialism works. The state deputizes settlers to act as shock troopers and occupiers, but they're not necessarily state-level actors following orders. They're mostly independent and kept at a bit of distance for propaganda purposes, but when the natives strike back the army can come in and protect the settlers while pretending their actions are defending civilians.

That's half the point of the 2nd Amendment - the other half being a concession to slave owners that needed guns to maintain order.