Four Arrested in Shooting Death of “General Hospital” Actor Johnny Wactor

In a significant development regarding the shooting death of former “General Hospital” actor Johnny Wactor, the Los Angeles Police Department announced the arrests of four suspects on Thursday afternoon. The individuals are identified as 18-year-olds Robert Barceleau, Leonel Gutierrez, and Sergio Estrada, along with 22-year-old Frank Olano.

The three younger suspects have been charged with murder, while Olano is being held as an accessory to the crime. This announcement followed a recent gathering of Wactor’s friends and family who held a news conference in downtown Los Angeles, seeking public assistance in identifying those responsible for his tragic death.

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass expressed her gratitude toward the LAPD for their efforts in solving the case, stating, “I want to thank LAPD for their partnership and hard work on this case and for their continued efforts to keep Angelenos safe and to bring justice to victims of violence. Now, we must ensure that those who are responsible for this brazen and heinous act are held fully accountable.”

Wactor, 37 years old at the time of his death, was shot on May 25 while walking to his car after finishing a bartending shift. The incident occurred at the intersection of Hope Street and Pico Boulevard. Authorities believe he was targeted during an attempted theft of his catalytic converter.

Just over a week prior to the arrests, the LAPD had released security footage of three suspects linked to Wactor’s killing, in hopes of generating new tips. This effort was part of a renewed initiative to gather more information after months of investigation yielded little progress, leading to frustration among Wactor’s loved ones and the broader community.

Micah Parker, a close friend of Wactor, led a march through downtown Los Angeles in June, advocating for awareness of Wactor’s case and urging anyone with information to come forward. “We want anyone with any information to come forward,” Parker stated during the event.

The march began near the site of the shooting and concluded at Los Angeles City Hall, where participants condemned the ongoing violence and crime in the city. Parker stressed the importance of acknowledgment from city leaders, stating, “We want our city leaders, the mayor, the [district attorney], city council to at least admit that we have a problem so that we can address it and move forward with safer streets.”

In a poignant moment, Parker and others called for a monetary reward to incentivize information leading to the arrest of Wactor’s killers. Just two months after the incident, Wactor’s mother, Scarlett Wactor, reiterated calls for public assistance, making an emotional plea for any information related to her son’s murder.

“I’m asking that anybody that knows anything, please come forward. It will help me and his brothers in our healing to know that they have been captured and convicted, and [with] the strongest penalty. So, I’m begging you, please call, please give them any information you know,” Scarlett Wactor said in an emotional news conference held in July.

The arrests signify a critical step in the pursuit of justice for Johnny Wactor, who was widely loved by his friends and fans. Despite the pain of his loss, the collaborative efforts of family, friends, and the community display a strong resolve to see that those responsible for the act are brought to justice.

The LAPD’s progress and the community’s engagement underscore the ongoing fight against violence in Los Angeles, emphasizing the need for unity in the face of such tragedies. As the legal process unfolds, many hope this case will serve as an impetus for further action to combat crime and enhance safety in the city.

Source: CBS News