Four gang members arrested in the murder of 'General Hospital' actor Johnny Wactor
Courtesy: AFP
Authorities have arrested four members of the Florencia 13 gang in connection with the fatal shooting of "General Hospital" actor Johnny Wactor in May.
Robert Barceleau, Sergio Estrada, Leonel Gutierrez, all 18, and Frank Olano, 22, were taken into custody by the Los Angeles Police Department on Thursday afternoon, as reported by CBS News.
Barceleau, Estrada, and Gutierrez were reportedly charged with murder, while Olano was charged as an accessory to the crime.
Wactor was killed on May 25 while walking to his car after finishing a bartending shift in downtown Los Angeles.
He was shot during an attempted theft of his catalytic converter by the suspects.
The actor was rushed to the hospital but succumbed to his injuries. He was 37 years old.
Following his tragic death, his co-worker Anita Joy shared that he bravely tried to persuade the thieves to leave his car alone.
“I was with Johnny in his last moments and I’m here to be his voice after such unimaginable events,” she wrote in her emotional Instagram post from 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.”
She stated that when he was shot, he "tumbled back" into her arms.
“As I grabbed for him, I shouted ‘Hunny you ok?!’ And he only responded, ‘Nope! Shot!'”
His talent agent, David Shaul, later recalled him as a person who embodied “hard work, tenacity and a never give up attitude.”
Beyond his role as Brando Corbin on "General Hospital" from 2020 to 2022, Wactor also made appearances on "Station 19," "Criminal Minds," and "Westworld."