Current:Home > ContactPolice arrest 4 in killing of 'General Hospital' actor Johnny Wactor -Aspire Capital Guides
Police arrest 4 in killing of 'General Hospital' actor Johnny Wactor
View
Date:2025-04-18 06:40:57
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! (7)
Related
- What were Tom Selleck's juicy final 'Blue Bloods' words in Reagan family
- US applications for jobless benefits fall again as labor market continues to thrive
- Big pharmacies could give your prescription info to cops without a warrant, Congress finds
- From a surprising long COVID theory to a new cow flu: Our 5 top 'viral' posts in 2023
- DoorDash steps up driver ID checks after traffic safety complaints
- Students say their New York school's cellphone ban helped improve their mental health
- Father, stepmother and uncle of 10-year-old girl found dead in UK home deny murder charges
- How the deep friendship between an Amazon chief and Belgian filmmaker devolved into accusations
- Are Instagram, Facebook and WhatsApp down? Meta says most issues resolved after outages
- From frontline pitchers to warm bodies, a look at every MLB team's biggest need
Ranking
- At site of suspected mass killings, Syrians recall horrors, hope for answers
- Missile fired from rebel-controlled Yemen misses a container ship in Bab el-Mandeb Strait
- The European Union is sorely tested to keep its promises to Ukraine intact
- Pope, once a victim of AI-generated imagery, calls for treaty to regulate artificial intelligence
- US appeals court rejects Nasdaq’s diversity rules for company boards
- Why Argentina’s shock measures may be the best hope for its ailing economy
- Buster Posey says San Francisco's perceived crime, drug problems an issue for free agents
- NFL isn't concerned by stars' continued officiating criticisms – but maybe it should be
Recommendation
Why members of two of EPA's influential science advisory committees were let go
Israel vows to fight on in Gaza despite deadly ambush and rising international pressure
Bachelor Nation's Shawn Booth Welcomes First Baby With Dre Joseph
A Buc-ee's monument, in gingerbread form: How a Texas couple recreated the beloved pitstop
Buckingham Palace staff under investigation for 'bar brawl'
Madonna kicks off Celebration tour with spectacle and sex: 'It’s a miracle that I’m alive'
Janet Yellen says the Trump administration’s China policies left the US more vulnerable
Why your 401(k) is happy: Dow Jones reaches new record after Fed forecasts lower rates