Los Angeles police have arrested four individuals in connection with the tragic shooting death of the daytime soap opera star, who was killed while attempting to stop thieves from stealing his car's catalytic converter in May.
- August 16, 2024
AceShowbiz - The Los Angeles Police Department announced on Thursday, August 15 that four suspects have been charged in connection with the murder of "General Hospital" actor Johnny Wactor. Robert Barceleau, Leonel Gutierrez, and Sergio Estrada, all 18, were charged with murder, while Frank Olano, 22, was charged as an accessory.
Wactor, 37, was shot and killed on May 25 outside Level 8, a downtown L.A. nightclub where he worked. Police said he had just left the rooftop bar with a coworker when he saw three men who had hoisted his car with a jack. One of them fired at him "without provocation," they added.
The suspects fled in a car, and Wactor was rushed to a hospital, where he succumbed to his wounds. The county medical examiner ruled the death a homicide.
Following search warrants executed on Thursday, police arrested Barceleau, Gutierrez and Estrada. Olano was also taken into custody and charged with accessory. The arrests come just days after Wactor's friends and family pleaded for the public's help in finding his killers.
Police are still investigating the connection between the suspects and the Florencia 13 gang, which has been linked to catalytic converter thefts in the region.
Wactor, a South Carolina native, portrayed Brandon Corbin on "General Hospital" from 2020 to 2022. He also appeared on "Station 19" "NCIS: Naval Criminal Investigative Service" and "Westworld".
His mother, Scarlett Wactor, expressed gratitude for the arrests but emphasized the need for accountability. "They're getting a chance at life that he doesn't have," she said. "If the death penalty was available, that'd be fantastic, in my opinion."
Bail for the suspects has been set at $2 million each. They are scheduled to make their preliminary court appearances in the coming days.
