Cesar Rene Arce
Encyclopedia
Cesar Rene Arce was shot to death in Los Angeles
in 1995 at age 18. Arce was writing graffiti
under the Hollywood Freeway
with a friend, David Hillo, 20, when they were confronted by William Masters, a former U.S. Marine
allegedly acting as vigilante
. Although details of the confrontation are in dispute, it ended with Masters shooting both men. Arce was shot in the back and killed during the dispute. Masters was prosecuted for misdemeanor
weapons charges, but, based on his claim of self-defense, was never charged in Arce's death.
The death of Arce, who was of Mexican
heritage, stirred deep controversy within the Los Angeles community at the time, and he has become somewhat of a martyr
among graffiti artist supporters and other social activists.
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
in 1995 at age 18. Arce was writing graffiti
Graffiti
Graffiti is the name for images or lettering scratched, scrawled, painted or marked in any manner on property....
under the Hollywood Freeway
Hollywood Freeway
The Hollywood Freeway is one of the principal freeways of Los Angeles, California and one of the busiest in the United States. It is the principal route over the Cahuenga Pass, the primary shortcut between the Los Angeles Basin and the San Fernando Valley...
with a friend, David Hillo, 20, when they were confronted by William Masters, a former U.S. Marine
United States Marine Corps
The United States Marine Corps is a branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for providing power projection from the sea, using the mobility of the United States Navy to deliver combined-arms task forces rapidly. It is one of seven uniformed services of the United States...
allegedly acting as vigilante
Vigilante
A vigilante is a private individual who legally or illegally punishes an alleged lawbreaker, or participates in a group which metes out extralegal punishment to an alleged lawbreaker....
. Although details of the confrontation are in dispute, it ended with Masters shooting both men. Arce was shot in the back and killed during the dispute. Masters was prosecuted for misdemeanor
Misdemeanor
A misdemeanor is a "lesser" criminal act in many common law legal systems. Misdemeanors are generally punished much less severely than felonies, but theoretically more so than administrative infractions and regulatory offences...
weapons charges, but, based on his claim of self-defense, was never charged in Arce's death.
The death of Arce, who was of Mexican
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
heritage, stirred deep controversy within the Los Angeles community at the time, and he has become somewhat of a martyr
Martyr
A martyr is somebody who suffers persecution and death for refusing to renounce, or accept, a belief or cause, usually religious.-Meaning:...
among graffiti artist supporters and other social activists.