Current:Home > NewsGeneral Hospital Actor Johnny Wactor's Death: Authorities Arrest 4 People in Connection to Fatal Shooting -DataFinance
General Hospital Actor Johnny Wactor's Death: Authorities Arrest 4 People in Connection to Fatal Shooting
View
Date:2025-04-17 23:34:35
Authorities have made multiple arrests in connection to the shooting death of Johnny Wactor.
The Los Angeles Police Department took four people into custody Aug. 15 as part of the investigation into the General Hospital actor’s homicide, according to a news release.
Robert Barceleau, 18, Leonel Gutierrez, 18, and Sergio Estrada, 18, were booked on arrest warrants for murder, while 22-year-old Frank Olano was booked on a warrant for accessory after the fact, per police.
E! News was unable to determine if the four had obtained lawyers to speak on their behalf.
Wactor was shot and killed May 25 in downtown L.A. after discovering thieves tampering with a car, his mother told NBC Los Angeles at the time.
Officers responded to a report of a shooting at 3:25 a.m. to find Wactor suffering from an apparent gunshot wound, per an LAPD press release. The soap star was taken to a local 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," read a May 28 press release from the LAPD. "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. Without provocation, the victim was shot by one of the individuals."
Police said the three suspects fled the scene in a dark sedan.
Wactor’s coworker Anita Joy later detailed the 37-year-old’s heroic final moments in the wake of his death, sharing that they were leaving the bar together when they came across the men.
"We cautiously approached the men, questioning what they were doing, at first thinking the car was being towed," she wrote on Instagram on May 29. "We were no threat and Johnny kept his cool as he always did, simply stating that it was his car and for them to leave. Hands open to his sides in peace."
Wactor stood in front of her to shield her from the perpetrators, but in an "instant" she said they were attacked.
"As I heard the shot ring into the night, he forcefully tumbled back into my arms," she recalled. "As I grabbed for him, I shouted 'Hunny you ok?!' And he only responded, 'Nope! Shot!' We toppled onto the street where I pushed my legs under him and tried to hold his body up while screaming for help and screaming at him to stay with me."
Joy said she watched her friend of eight years die in her arms, adding she’s “utterly heartbroken and so very angry” over his passing.
"My only peace is that I was with him and this didn't happen to him alone,” she wrote. “My only other peace will be seeing these awful men brought to justice."
Read on to look back on his life in photos.
For the latest breaking news updates, click here to download the E! News AppveryGood! (47)
Related
- Bodycam footage shows high
- Federal appeals court takes step closer to banning TikTok in US: Here's what to know
- How Hailee Steinfeld and Josh Allen Navigate Their Private Romance on Their Turf
- Blast rocks residential building in southern China
- See you latte: Starbucks plans to cut 30% of its menu
- How to watch the 'Blue Bloods' Season 14 finale: Final episode premiere date, cast
- Only about 2 in 10 Americans approve of Biden’s pardon of his son Hunter, an AP
- Man on trial in Ole Miss student’s death lied to investigators, police chief says
- Trump wants to turn the clock on daylight saving time
- 'Vanderpump Rules' star DJ James Kennedy arrested on domestic violence charges
Ranking
- NHL in ASL returns, delivering American Sign Language analysis for Deaf community at Winter Classic
- TikTok asks Supreme Court to review ban legislation, content creators react: What to know
- Not sure what to write in your holiday card? These tips can help: Video tutorial
- Rooftop Solar Keeps Getting More Accessible Across Incomes. Here’s Why
- This was the average Social Security benefit in 2004, and here's what it is now
- How to watch the Geminid meteor shower this weekend
- Not sure what to write in your holiday card? These tips can help: Video tutorial
- Orcas are hunting whale sharks. Is there anything they can't take down?
Recommendation
Hackers hit Rhode Island benefits system in major cyberattack. Personal data could be released soon
Analysis: After Juan Soto’s megadeal, could MLB see a $1 billion contract? Probably not soon
US inflation likely edged up last month, though not enough to deter another Fed rate cut
How Hailee Steinfeld and Josh Allen Navigate Their Private Romance on Their Turf
Newly elected West Virginia lawmaker arrested and accused of making terroristic threats
South Korea opposition leader Lee says impeaching Yoon best way to restore order
Is that Cillian Murphy as a zombie in the '28 Years Later' trailer?
Australian man arrested for starting fire at Changi Airport