Current:Home > MyPolice arrest 4 in killing of 'General Hospital' actor Johnny Wactor -WealthMap Solutions
Police arrest 4 in killing of 'General Hospital' actor Johnny Wactor
View
Date:2025-04-16 22:14:53
Arrests have been made in the killing of "General Hospital" actor Johnny Wactor, who died in a shooting in May.
The Los Angeles Police Department announced Thursday the arrests of four suspects in the case. Three are accused of murdering the 37-year-old, who died from a gunshot wound to the chest in downtown Los Angeles on May 25, and one man is accused of being an accessory to the crime.
The LAPD's Central Bureau Homicide carried out search warrants Thursday morning, which resulted in "four people being arrested and evidence recovered," the LAPD said in a news release.
The murder suspects in the case are Robert Barceleau, Leonel Gutierrez and Sergio Estrada. Frank Olano was booked on an arrest warrant for "accessory after the fact."
According to booking records reviewed by USA TODAY, Barceleau, Gutierrez and Olano's bail is set at $2 million. Records for Estrada were not available.
Need a break? Play the USA TODAY Daily Crossword Puzzle.
Wactor, who made his TV debut in 2007 on the Lifetime drama series "Army Wives," was best known for his role as Brando Corbin on "General Hospital."
Johnny Wactor shot, killed during suspected theft attempt
Wactor was shot around 3 a.m. May 25 during an attempted catalytic converter theft in the 1200 block of Hope Street, per LAPD's May 28 news release. Officers "began to render aid" to Wactor, who was later transported to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
"Based on witness statements, Wactor had ended his shift as a bartender at a local bar and walked to his vehicle. When Wactor arrived at his vehicle, he was confronted by three individuals who had Wactor's vehicle raised up with a floor jack and were in the process of stealing the catalytic converter," LAPD reported. "Without provocation, the victim was shot by one of the individuals."
'You shot the wrong guy':Johnny Wactor's ex posts emotional video
Wactor's mother, Scarlett, reflected on her son's death in a May 26 interview with Fox News.
"What I'd like for everybody to know is that they took a great human being," Scarlett said. "He lived life to the fullest, he chased his dreams (and was) a very optimistic, positive person."
She concluded: "I hope they catch (Wactor's killers), and I hope there’s justice for Johnny. That’s all I can hope and pray for. I will see him again."
Wactor's agent, David Shaul, previously remembered the actor as a "spectacular human being" in a statement shared with Variety.
"Our time with Johnny was a privilege we would wish on everyone," Shaul said. "He would literally give you the shirt off his back. After over a decade together, he will leave a hole in our hearts forever."
Contributing: Pamela Avila, USA TODAY
veryGood! (2698)
Related
- The FTC says 'gamified' online job scams by WhatsApp and text on the rise. What to know.
- Victor Wembanyama's Security Guard Will Not Face Charges After Britney Spears Incident
- A Houston Firm Says It’s Opening a Billion-Dollar Chemical Recycling Plant in a Small Pennsylvania Town. How Does It Work?
- Tupperware once changed women's lives. Now it struggles to survive
- San Francisco names street for Associated Press photographer who captured the iconic Iwo Jima photo
- Britney Spears Condemns Security Attack as Further Evidence of Her Not Being Seen as an Equal Person
- One mom takes on YouTube over deadly social media blackout challenge
- Freight drivers feel the flip-flop
- A South Texas lawmaker’s 15
- Despite Misunderstandings, Scientists and Indigenous Peoples in the Arctic Have Collaborated on Research Into Mercury Pollution
Ranking
- From family road trips to travel woes: Americans are navigating skyrocketing holiday costs
- California Has Provided Incentives for Methane Capture at Dairies, but the Program May Have ‘Unintended Consequences’
- In Pivotal Climate Case, UN Panel Says Australia Violated Islanders’ Human Rights
- When an Oil Well Is Your Neighbor
- South Korea's acting president moves to reassure allies, calm markets after Yoon impeachment
- Spare a thought for Gustavo, the guy delivering your ramen in the wildfire smoke
- Amazingly, the U.S. job market continues to roar. Here are the 5 things to know
- Text scams, crypto crackdown, and an economist to remember
Recommendation
Former Danish minister for Greenland discusses Trump's push to acquire island
YouTubers Shane Dawson and Ryland Adams Expecting Twins Via Surrogate
Thousands of Reddit communities 'go dark' in protest of new developer fees
America is going through an oil boom — and this time it's different
Intellectuals vs. The Internet
Germany’s New Government Had Big Plans on Climate, Then Russia Invaded Ukraine. What Happens Now?
A New Plant in Indiana Uses a Process Called ‘Pyrolysis’ to Recycle Plastic Waste. Critics Say It’s Really Just Incineration
Why Danielle Jonas Sometimes Feels Less Than Around Sisters-in-Law Priyanka Chopra and Sophie Turner