Four people have been arrested in connection with the fatal shooting of Johnny Wactor, the "General Hospital" actor who was killed in May while intervening in a catalytic converter theft, police announced Thursday.
The Los Angeles Police Department identified three of the suspects as Robert Barceleau, 18; Leonel Gutierrez, 18; and Sergio Estrada, 18, who are charged with murder. Frank Olano, 22, is accused of being an accessory to the crime.
The arrests followed search warrants executed by the department’s central homicide bureau at various locations across Los Angeles. Evidence was recovered during these searches.
Bail has been set at $2 million for the suspects, though it is unclear if they have legal representation. Additional details about the evidence and the arrests are not yet available. Mayor Karen Bass expressed gratitude to the police department and emphasized the need for full accountability for the "brazen and heinous act."
Johnny Wactor, 37, was shot and killed on the night of May 25 after discovering three men stealing his car’s catalytic converter in downtown Los Angeles. The police reported that one of the suspects shot Wactor without warning.
A friend and coworker of Wactor’s, Anita Joy, described the incident on Instagram, recounting how Wactor calmly approached the suspects, only to be shot without provocation. She recalled him falling into her arms and his final words, "Nope! Shot!"
The suspects fled the scene in a dark sedan, and Wactor was pronounced dead at a local hospital.
Wactor, originally from Charleston, South Carolina, was known for his role as Brando Corbin on "General Hospital," where he appeared in 163 episodes. His manager remembered him as a "kind soul, a talented actor, and an inspiration to those around him."
Catalytic converters are targeted for their valuable metals, and according to the National Insurance Crime Bureau, thefts of these parts surged in 2022. This led to California Gov. Gavin Newsom signing legislation to combat the crime.
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