Danny Trejo, a well-known actor, was involved in controversy during a Fourth of July parade in Los Angeles.
A water balloon thrown at Trejo and his associate escalated into a confrontation after allegations that the balloon may have contained acid, the New York Post reported.
When the incident unfolded, Trejo was riding in a baby blue convertible alongside Mario Castillo in the Sunland-Tujunga neighborhood. Reacting to shouts from the crowd about the possible dangerous contents of the balloon, Trejo approached the group from which it was thrown, leading to a physical altercation with a man in a black sleeveless shirt.
Castillo expressed concerns that they were specifically targeted because of their ethnicity, noting that no other parade participants near them encountered similar attacks. "It was targeted because there was no one else being hit by balloons in front of us or behind us. You know it was just at our lowrider," he stated. The attackers launched another water balloon at Trejo amidst the scuffle, possibly aggravating the situation.
Eyewitness Arnie Abramyan described the scene: "Everybody was holding him back. Many people were between him and the people who threw the water balloon. He was just upset. He was yelling, screaming, mad, and was trying to get to the guy who threw the water balloon." This melee resulted in Castillo sustaining injuries, evidenced by his bleeding eye and swollen red arms shown in videos circulating online.
The confrontation shook not just those directly involved but many parade attendees. Local paradegoer James Spishak recalled the moment vividly. "[Trejo] pushed women out of the way to get to those guys. There were kids there. It could've gotten hideous. It would've never happened if he stayed in the car."
In reflecting on the confrontation, Trejo regretted his actions and the ensuing escalation. "I'm so sad, by the way I behaved, so sad that grown men have to throw water bundles to enjoy a day," he lamented in his own words, highlighting his emotional state post-incident.
Despite the negative experience, Trejo found a humorous side to the embarrassing situation. He joked about the assailants' inability to seriously harm him, indicating his resilience in the face of adversity.
The intervention of several paradegoers ultimately de-escalated the brawl, restoring order and allowing the parade to continue.
Following the incident, Trejo remained a popular figure among his fans, many of whom rallied to his support amidst the controversy. As the event concluded, the actor, known for his roles in action-packed blockbusters, addressed the public, maintaining a cheerful demeanor despite the earlier chaos.
Mario Castillo also added his reflections on the incident, emphasizing the impact on their cherished vehicle, a classic lowrider staple at such events. "Come on, you got a classic lowrider in a parade; that is the last thing you want getting water or anything in it," he remarked, underscoring the personal and cultural significance of their presence at the parade.
In conclusion, this unexpected Fourth of July event transitioned from a traditional celebration to an emotionally charged confrontation that left attendees and participants reflecting on the events.
Despite initial fears and resulting confrontations, the community ultimately came together to support Trejo, maintaining peace and continuing the festivities.
