Current:Home > NewsGeneral Hospital Actor Johnny Wactor's Death: Authorities Arrest 4 People in Connection to Fatal Shooting -NextFrontier Finance
General Hospital Actor Johnny Wactor's Death: Authorities Arrest 4 People in Connection to Fatal Shooting
View
Date:2025-04-12 05:10:19
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! (45599)
Related
- Tropical rains flood homes in an inland Georgia neighborhood for the second time since 2016
- Kevin Hart accepts Mark Twain Prize for humor, says committing to comedy was a 'gamble'
- Florida’s DeSantis signs one of the country’s most restrictive social media bans for minors
- UFC fighter disqualified for biting opponent, winner celebrates by getting tattoo
- $73.5M beach replenishment project starts in January at Jersey Shore
- Justin Fields 'oozes talent,' but Russell Wilson in 'pole position' for Steelers QB job
- Bachelor Alum Juan Pablo Galavis' 14-Year-Old Daughter Auditions for American Idol
- Golden Globes land 5-year deal to air on CBS, stream on Paramount+
- Matt Damon remembers pal Robin Williams: 'He was a very deep, deep river'
- Revenge tour? Purdue is rolling as it overcomes previous March Madness disappointments
Ranking
- Sonya Massey's father decries possible release of former deputy charged with her death
- Mega Millions jackpot over $1 billion for 6th time ever: When is the next lottery drawing?
- Get This $10 Luggage Scale that Thousands of Reviewers call Extremely Accurate & Invaluable
- Darian DeVries named men’s basketball coach at West Virginia after 6 seasons at Drake
- Video shows dog chewing cellphone battery pack, igniting fire in Oklahoma home
- Rescue effort turns to recovery in search for 6-year-old who fell into Pennsylvania creek
- We're So Excited to Reveal These Shocking Secrets About Saved By the Bell
- 2 Holland America crew members die during incident on cruise ship
Recommendation
Paris Hilton, Nicole Richie return for an 'Encore,' reminisce about 'The Simple Life'
Royal Family Member Shares Rare Insight Into Prince William and Kate Middleton's Family Dynamic
Nearly $2 billion is up for grabs as Mega Millions and Powerball jackpots soar
Golden Globes land 5-year deal to air on CBS, stream on Paramount+
Sam Taylor
Tyler Adams, Gio Reyna score goals as USMNT defeats Mexico for Nations League title
Dark circles under your eyes? Here's how to get rid of them
This women's sports bar is a game changer in sports entertainment