4 arrested in killing of former ‘General Hospital’ actor Johnny Wactor

Aug. 16, 2024, 7:40 a.m.

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On Thursday, Los Angeles law enforcement apprehended four individuals in connection with the fatal shooting of former “General Hospital” actor Johnny Wactor.

Robert Barceleau, Leonel Gutierrez, and Sergio Estrada, all 18 years old, were taken into custody on murder warrants. Frank Olano, 22, was arrested for allegedly assisting in the crime.

All were detained with a bail set at $2 million, according to jail records. The Associated Press was unable to confirm whether they had legal representation to speak on their behalf after contacting the county jail and the Los Angeles Police Department for information.

Advertisement Law enforcement officers executed search warrants at multiple locations throughout Los Angeles, leading to the arrests on Thursday morning, according to a press release from the LAPD. During the searches, officers also recovered additional evidence, police said. No further details regarding the arrests or the evidence have been disclosed.

Wactor was fatally shot when he confronted thieves attempting to steal the catalytic converter from his vehicle in the early morning hours of May 25. According to police, the 37-year-old had left his workplace at a rooftop bar with a colleague when he noticed three individuals who had raised his car. Police stated that one of the suspects fired upon him without provocation, resulting in his death.

The suspects fled the scene in a vehicle, and Wactor was transported to a hospital, where he was later pronounced dead, according to police.

On August 5, authorities sought public assistance in identifying the suspects, releasing surveillance images of them and their escape car.

Wactor, a native of South Carolina, portrayed Brando Corbin on the ABC soap opera “General Hospital” from 2020 to 2022. He also made appearances in various films and television series, including “Station 19,” “NCIS” and “Westworld,” as well as the video game “Call of Duty: Vanguard.”

His agent, David Shaul, stated shortly after Wactor’s passing that he “always maintained a positive outlook and strived to be the best he could be.”

During a press conference earlier this week, his mother spoke about the pain of losing him.

“Grief is always with me,” Scarlett Wactor shared. “I can't wish him a happy birthday on August 31st, he would have turned 38. I can't ask if he's coming home for Christmas. I can't ask him how his day went.”