Current:Home > StocksPolice arrest 4 in killing of 'General Hospital' actor Johnny Wactor -ThriveEdge Finance
Police arrest 4 in killing of 'General Hospital' actor Johnny Wactor
EchoSense View
Date:2025-04-07 17:03:28
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! (48773)
Related
- Trump wants to turn the clock on daylight saving time
- Dalvin Cook says he's 'frustrated' with role in Jets, trade rumors 'might be a good thing'
- 'Shock to the conscience': 5 found fatally shot in home near Clinton, North Carolina
- A salty problem for people near the mouth of the Mississippi is a wakeup call for New Orleans
- Angelina Jolie nearly fainted making Maria Callas movie: 'My body wasn’t strong enough'
- Abortion rights supporters far outraise opponents and rake in out-of-state money in Ohio election
- Dolphins' Tua Tagovailoa, Xavien Howard knock being on in-season edition of ‘Hard Knocks'
- Son of federal judge in Puerto Rico pleads guilty to killing wife after winning new trial
- Appeals court scraps Nasdaq boardroom diversity rules in latest DEI setback
- Huawei reports its revenue inched higher in January-September despite US sanctions
Ranking
- Global Warming Set the Stage for Los Angeles Fires
- Israel-Hamas war upends years of conventional wisdom. Leaders give few details on what comes next
- North Carolina Republicans put exclamation mark on pivotal annual session with redistricting maps
- Billboard Music Awards 2023 Finalists: See the Complete List
- B.A. Parker is learning the banjo
- Rampage in Maine is the 36th mass killing this year. Here's what happened in the others
- Man indicted on murder charge 23 years after girl, mother disappeared in West Virginia
- Man indicted on murder charge 23 years after girl, mother disappeared in West Virginia
Recommendation
FACT FOCUS: Inspector general’s Jan. 6 report misrepresented as proof of FBI setup
Vermont police say bodies found off rural Vermont road are those of 2 missing Massachusetts men
Alexander Payne keeps real emotion at bay in the coyly comic 'Holdovers'
Hasan Minhaj responds to New Yorker profile, accusation of 'faking racism'
Federal appeals court upholds $14.25 million fine against Exxon for pollution in Texas
Key North Carolina GOP lawmakers back rules Chair Destin Hall to become next House speaker
The White House and Google launch a new virtual tour with audio captions, Spanish translation
This diet says it is good for Earth and your health. Here's what experts want you to eat.