Actor Danny Trejo has revealed what sparked a violent Fourth of July fight that he was a part of.
Last Friday, the “Machete” star told Fox 11 Los Angeles how he ended up getting into an altercation during a parade in the Los Angeles neighborhood of Sunland-Tujunga when bystanders launched water balloons at the 80-year-old actor and some of his cherished lowriders.
“We came, and then bam. All of a sudden, our car got hit by a water balloon,” Trejo said, adding, “Somebody yelled, ‘It’s acid,’ and I panicked.”
Worried his vehicles were being vandalized and that he was in danger, he said he “got out of the car to look, and then a balloon hit me, and then I saw the guy throwing it.”
Video obtained by Fox 11 showed the actor and restaurateur approach a man throwing the water balloons and try to punch him before being knocked to the ground.
Other footage shared by TMZ saw Trejo wielding a lawn chair during the altercation as others tried to subdue the fight.
Alberto E. Rodriguez via Getty Images
Trejo told Fox 11 that he felt like he had to confront the vandals because he thought they were “bullies.”
“I hate bullies, and that’s what bullies do,” Trejo said. “[They were] really cowards. I did this in the ’50s and the ’60s — I’m still doing it, I’m 80 years old.”
Trejo, who’s appeared in films like “Desperado,” “Heat,” “From Dusk Till Dawn” and “Con Air,” has a reputation for being a tough guy with a soft heart.
After spending time in California’s San Quentin State Prison in the ’60s, he got sober and dedicated his life to serving his community in Los Angeles.
He worked as a substance abuse counselor before beginning his acting career in the ’80s. He’s also the owner of Trejos Tacos, and he regularly partners with local Los Angeles charities to feed the city’s homeless population.
While speaking to Fox 11, the lifelong Angeleno went on to say he was disappointed by the way a few people spoiled the Independence Day celebration.
“It’s sad that people can wake up in the morning and decide to go down and ruin something for everybody else,” Trejo said, adding, “I am a protector. I will protect all my friends, always, and that’s what I was doing.”