Current:Home > StocksPolice arrest 4 in killing of 'General Hospital' actor Johnny Wactor -Capital Dream Guides
Police arrest 4 in killing of 'General Hospital' actor Johnny Wactor
View
Date:2025-04-16 20:44:17
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! (442)
Related
- Meet the volunteers risking their lives to deliver Christmas gifts to children in Haiti
- Polish man sentenced to life in Congo on espionage charges has been released and returned to Europe
- Hungary’s foreign minister visits Belarus despite EU sanctions, talks about expanding ties
- A flurry of rockets will launch from Florida's Space Coast this year. How to watch Friday
- A Mississippi company is sentenced for mislabeling cheap seafood as premium local fish
- Feds take down one of world's largest malicious botnets and arrest its administrator
- A woman will likely be Mexico’s next president. But in some Indigenous villages, men hold the power
- Spain, Ireland and Norway recognized a Palestinian state. Here's why it matters.
- Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's daily crossword puzzle, Triathlon
- Scottie Scheffler charges dropped after arrest outside PGA Championship
Ranking
- Could your smelly farts help science?
- More people make ‘no-buy year’ pledges as overspending or climate worries catch up with them
- Does lemon water help you lose weight? A dietitian explains
- US Treasury official visits Ukraine to discuss sanctions on Moscow and seizing Russian assets
- Former Danish minister for Greenland discusses Trump's push to acquire island
- A flurry of rockets will launch from Florida's Space Coast this year. How to watch Friday
- Is it possible to turn off AI Overview in Google Search? What we know.
- Police dismantle pro-Palestinian camp at Wayne State University in Detroit
Recommendation
Meta releases AI model to enhance Metaverse experience
Violence clouds the last day of campaigning for Mexico’s election
Graceland foreclosure: Emails allegedly from company claim sale of Elvis' home was a scam
More people make ‘no-buy year’ pledges as overspending or climate worries catch up with them
Selena Gomez's "Weird Uncles" Steve Martin and Martin Short React to Her Engagement
Man accused of driving toward people outside New York Jewish school charged with hate crimes
US District Judge Larry Hicks dies after being struck by vehicle near Nevada courthouse
The Latest | Israel expands Rafah offensive, saying it now controls Gaza’s entire border with Egypt