Four Arrested in Fatal Shooting of Actor Johnny Wactor in Los Angeles

Four individuals have been arrested in connection with the fatal shooting of American actor Johnny Wactor in Los Angeles.

The arrests follow an incident that occurred early on May 25, 2024 when Wactor was targeted while attempting to defend his vehicle from theft.

The three primary suspects—Robert Barceleau, Leonel Gutierrez, and Sergio Estrada—are charged with murder, while Frank Olano faces a charge of accessory to murder, according to the Los Angeles Police Department.

Wactor, 37, known for his role on the soap opera General Hospital, had just finished a bartending shift in downtown Los Angeles and was heading to his car when he encountered the suspects.

The three men had hoisted Wactor’s vehicle with a floor jack and were in the process of stealing the catalytic converter, a crucial part of the car’s exhaust system. The converter, which reduces harmful emissions, is a frequent target for thieves due to the valuable metals it contains.

Authorities report that one of the suspects shot Wactor without provocation, leaving him critically injured. He was found at the scene and later pronounced dead.

Wactor’s brother, Grant, described him as “one of the most charismatic people I knew,” while General Hospital producers paid tribute to him, noting that he was “truly one of a kind and a pleasure to work with each and every day.”

In addition to his role as Brando Corbin on General Hospital, Wactor had appeared in the 2013 NBC series Siberia and featured in two episodes of HBO’s Westworld.

The theft of catalytic converters has surged in Los Angeles, exacerbated by the pandemic. With the rise in hybrid vehicles, which preserve the converters’ precious metals longer, thieves have found these components particularly lucrative.

The crime wave has become a significant issue in the city, driven by the high value of these metals and their scarcity during recent supply chain disruptions.