Current:Home > reviewsPolice arrest 4 in killing of 'General Hospital' actor Johnny Wactor -TradeBridge
Police arrest 4 in killing of 'General Hospital' actor Johnny Wactor
View
Date:2025-04-15 13:45:46
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! (252)
Related
- Trump suggestion that Egypt, Jordan absorb Palestinians from Gaza draws rejections, confusion
- 'A Good Girl's Guide to Murder' is now on Netflix: Get to know the original books
- DeSantis, longtime opponent of state spending on stadiums, allocates $8 million for Inter Miami
- The 10 college football transfers that will have the biggest impact
- All That You Wanted to Know About She’s All That
- Who Is Olympian Raven Saunders: All About the Masked Shot Put Star
- Will Steve Martin play Tim Walz on 'Saturday Night Live'? Comedian reveals his answer
- West Virginia corrections officers plead guilty to not intervening as colleagues fatally beat inmate
- 2025 'Doomsday Clock': This is how close we are to self
- Pocket-sized creatures: Video shows teeny-tiny endangered crocodiles hatch
Ranking
- Why members of two of EPA's influential science advisory committees were let go
- Nick Viall Fiercely Defends Rachel Lindsay Against “Loser” Ex Bryan Abasolo
- Love Is the Big Winner in Paris: All the Athletes Who Got Engaged During the 2024 Olympics
- Florida sheriff’s deputy rescues missing 5-year-old autistic boy from pond
- Opinion: Gianni Infantino, FIFA sell souls and 2034 World Cup for Saudi Arabia's billions
- Ferguson marks 10 years since Michael Brown’s death. While there’s some progress, challenges persist
- Hearing in Karen Read case expected to focus on jury deliberations
- What’s black and white and fuzzy all over? It’s 2 giant pandas, debuting at San Diego Zoo
Recommendation
Small twin
A powerful quake hits off Japan’s coast, causing minor injuries but prompting new concerns
Handlers help raise half-sister patas monkeys born weeks apart at an upstate New York zoo
Dead woman found entangled in baggage machinery at Chicago airport
Rylee Arnold Shares a Long
Missouri man dies illegally BASE jumping at Grand Canyon National Park; parachute deployed
Trump heads to Montana in a bid to oust Sen. Tester after failing to topple the Democrat in 2018
California governor vows to take away funding from cities and counties for not clearing encampments