Four people arrested earlier this month in connection with the shooting death of “General Hospital” actor Johnny Wactor have been charged, officials with the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s office announced.
Wactor was shot and killed May 25 as he and a coworker, Anita Joy, were walking to their cars in downtown L.A. just before 3:30 a.m. after their shifts at the Moxy Hotel, located at 1260 South Figueroa Boulevard.
As he and Joy approached his vehicle, they stumbled upon three men stealing his catalytic converter.
Prosecutors say that one of the men, 18-year-old Robert Barceleau, allegedly shot Wactor once in the chest moments before the trio fled the area. The 37-year-old was rushed to the hospital where he was pronounced deceased.
Barceleau and his two accomplices were able to evade police until their arrest on Aug. 15. A fourth person was also taken into custody as an accessory to the crime.
The four men have been charged with the following:
- Robert Barceleau, 18, of Huntington Park was charged with one count of murder with special circumstances of murder during an attempted robbery and personal use of a firearm; one count of attempted robbery with personal use of a firearm; and one count of grand theft with an allegation of principal armed with a firearm
- Leonel Guitierrez, 18, of L.A. County was charged with one count of attempted robbery with an allegation of principal armed with a firearm; and one count of grand theft with an allegation of principal armed with a firearm
- Sergio Estrada, 18, of L.A. County was charged with one count of murder with an allegation of principal armed with a firearm; one count of attempted robbery with an allegation of principal armed with a firearm; and one count of grand theft with an allegation of principal armed with a firearm
- Frank Olano, 22, of Inglewood was charged with one count of accessory after the fact to murder; one count of receiving stolen property; and three counts of being a felon with a firearm
“Johnny Wactor’s life was senselessly taken while he was simply walking to his parked car in downtown Los Angeles. We are committed to seeking justice for Mr. Wactor and ensuring that those responsible are held accountable for their actions,” District Attorney Gascón said in a news release. “Mr. Wactor’s work and presence touched the lives of many, and our hearts go out to his family, friends and the entire community who mourn this devastating loss.”
L.A. Mayor Karen Bass thanked investigators with the Los Angeles Police Department “for their work and partnership throughout the investigation and for their continued efforts to keep Angelenos safe and to bring justice to victims of violence.”
Barceleau is being held without bail. Estrada is being held on $2,070,000 bail and Olano on $1,080,000 bail. Gutierrez’ bail was set at $120,000.
If convicted as charged, Barceleau faces life in prison without parole. Estrada faces a maximum of life, while Olano could get nearly six years in prison and Gutierrez could see a sentence of nearly five years.