The Incident Unfolds
Trejo was a guest of honor at the parade, riding in a classic baby blue convertible alongside his friend Mario Castillo. The situation escalated when a water balloon was thrown at their car, reportedly leading Trejo to believe it contained a harmful substance like acid. This panic prompted Trejo to exit the vehicle and confront the bystanders he believed were responsible (TMZ) (Peoplemag).
Witnesses and video footage revealed that Trejo threw the first punch, and the situation quickly devolved into a brawl. Trejo was briefly knocked to the ground but retaliated by throwing a chair into the crowd. The incident was chaotic, with bystanders attempting to de-escalate the situation and police arriving shortly after to restore order (TMZ) (Peoplemag).
Reactions and Aftermath
Trejo later expressed regret over his actions, labeling the water balloon attack as "childish" and the perpetrators as "cowards." He explained that his reaction was driven by fear and a sense of being targeted, potentially due to his race, as no other participants were attacked with water balloons (TMZ) (TMZ).
Mario Castillo echoed Trejo’s sentiments, suggesting that their race and the status of their car as a lowrider might have made them specific targets. Castillo emphasized that no other cars before or after them were hit, reinforcing the belief that the attack was intentional and discriminatory (TMZ).
The actor's followers were divided in their responses. Some defended Trejo's reaction, considering the potential threat he perceived, while others felt the incident was an overreaction to what they viewed as a harmless prank (TMZ).
