The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) has apprehended four individuals in connection with the murder of Johnny Wactor, a former star of the television show “General Hospital.” Wactor, 37, was fatally shot in May while attempting to prevent the theft of his car’s catalytic converter. The suspects, all aged between 18 and 22, were charged on Thursday, with three facing murder charges and the fourth being charged as an accessory.
The incident occurred outside Level 8, a downtown LA nightclub where Wactor was employed. According to the police, Wactor had just left the rooftop bar with a coworker when he noticed three men attempting to steal the catalytic converter from his car. One of the men shot Wactor in the chest without any provocation. He was rushed to a hospital but succumbed to his injuries. The county medical examiner has since ruled the death a homicide.
The suspects, Robert Barceleau, 18, of Huntington Park; Leonel Gutierrez, 18, of Los Angeles County; and Sergio Estrada, 18, of Los Angeles County, were arrested following the execution of search warrants. Frank Olano, 22, of Inglewood, was charged as an accessory. The LAPD has not released further details about the arrests or the evidence that was recovered.
The LAPD was investigating the Florencia 13 gang, which is linked to catalytic converter thefts in the region, at the time of the arrests. Wactor’s murder drew national attention and led to a rally outside LA City Hall by friends and relatives demanding justice.
Wactor’s mother, Scarlett, expressed her grief to reporters. “Grief is my constant companion,” she said. “I can’t wish him happy birthday on Aug. 31 — he would have been 38. I can’t ask if he’s coming home for Christmas. I can’t ask how his day went. I’m asking that anybody that knows anything please come forward.”
Wactor, a South Carolina native, was known for his role as Brandon Corbin on “General Hospital” from 2020 to 2022. He also had roles on other popular TV shows, including “Station 19,” “NCIS,” and “Westworld.”