The Los Angeles Police Department announced the arrest of four individuals connected to the shooting death of Johnny Wactor, a former “General Hospital” actor.
Authorities identified the suspects as 18-year-old Robert Barceleau, Leonel Gutierrez, Sergio Estrada, and 22-year-old Frank Olano. Police charged Barceleau, Gutierrez, and Estrada with murder, while Olano faces charges as an accessory. Each suspect remains in custody on a $2 million bond.
Mayor’s Response to Arrests
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass praised the LAPD for their efforts, 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.”
These arrests came after Wactor’s family and friends held a news conference in downtown Los Angeles, urging the public to help identify those responsible for his death. The actor’s mother Scarlett Wactor expressed cautious optimism, noting, “We still have to do preliminary hearings.”
Details of the Incident
On May 25, assailants shot and killed Wactor, 37, in downtown Los Angeles as he walked to his car after his bartending shift on Hope Street and Pico Boulevard. The suspects allegedly targeted him in an attempt to steal his catalytic converter. Over a week ago, the LAPD released security images of three suspects and a vehicle related to Wactor’s murder, renewing calls for information.
As months passed without leads on the suspects, frustration grew among Wactor’s family, friends, and community members. In June, Wactor’s friend Micah Parker organized a march in downtown Los Angeles to raise awareness about the case. “We want anyone with any information to come forward,” Parker urged.
The march started near the shooting scene and concluded at Los Angeles City Hall, where participants voiced concerns about violence and crime in the city. Parker emphasized, “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.”
Background on Suspects
Olano had a prior conviction for felony vandalism at the time of Wactor’s death and was on probation. Before his arrest for Wactor’s murder, police had apprehended Gutierrez for felony vandalism on July 19. Police arrested Barceleau twice after the alleged murder: once for assault with a deadly weapon involving a semi-automatic rifle and again in July for a misdemeanor. He was released on bond for the assault charge and cited for the misdemeanor.
Mother’s Frustration and Hopes for Justice
Scarlett Wactor expressed her frustration over the previous arrests, stating, “These guys are too brazen. The law has enabled them to just be like they’re above it… I’m so grateful and thankful and hope that those previous things that they were arrested for maybe they can be stacked on top of what is happening now.” She hopes prosecutors will pursue the maximum penalties, lamenting, “They’re getting a chance at life that he doesn’t have. They’re breathing air that they don’t deserve to breathe… If the death penalty was available, that’d be fantastic, in my opinion.”
