Thanks Gemme! Yes the question for me is "how" as much as "why."
Well apparently "shoe tossing" - as Wikipedia calls it - is a thing:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shoe_tossing
They don't look randomly tossed up there to me but I suppose. There are two pairs close together basically in the center of the road, but maybe.
Also, in the Wikipedia article it mentioned boot throwing is a competitive sport in Great Britain and New Zealand - I'm sure none of us are surprised by that, lol.
I live in a little town of 800 people. If there are gangs I am blissfully unaware. Don't think someone would announce they were selling drugs that way out here because it would be way too obvious but who knows. There are kids that live around here so it could very well be their shoes.
But yes, apparently this is a "thing" and there are many different reasons. I learned something new this week.