The Los Angeles teenage gang members accused of murdering General Hospital star Johnny Wactor incriminated themselves in the horrific attack through recorded jailhouse conversations, law enforcement sources said.
Robert Barceleau, 18, and Sergio Estrada, 18, members of the Florencia 13 gang, were charged with murder, among other alleged crimes, in connection with Wactor’s death.
Wactor, 37, was shot and killed by robbers trying to steal the catalytic converter from his vehicle in downtown Los Angeles on May 25 as he was leaving his job as a waiter at the Moxy Hotel.
Two other men, Leonel Gutierrez, 18, and Frank Olano, 22, have been charged with misdemeanors in connection with the beloved actor’s “senseless” death.
“The loss of this talented young actor, who was in the prime of his life and had so much to offer the world, is deeply felt by all of us,” Los Angeles County District Attorney Georg Gascón said Monday.
Robert Barceleau, 18, and Sergio Estrada, 18, have been charged with murder, among other charges, in connection with the death of Johnny Wactor.
Wactor, 37, was shot and killed by robbers trying to steal the catalytic converter from his vehicle in downtown Los Angeles on May 25 as he was leaving his job as a waiter at the Moxy Hotel.
“Mr. Wactor’s work and presence touched the lives of many, and our hearts go out to his family, friends and the entire community as they mourn this devastating loss.”
At the time of the brazen attack, Wactor, who thought he was being towed, was confronted by a group of men who had lifted his car after finishing a late-night bartending shift nearby with his co-worker and longtime friend, Anita Joy.
Joy, who witnessed the horrific shooting, said Wactor asked the men to leave and put his hands up to show he was not a threat before being shot at point-blank range in the chest.
According to Gascón, Barceleau was the one who allegedly shot the soap opera actor. Wactor was taken to a hospital where he was pronounced dead, Gascón said.
Barceleau, Gutierrez and Estrada were arrested and arraigned on suspicion of murder on Thursday, nearly three months after the killing. Olana was also arrested on suspicion of being an accessory to murder.
Barceleau, also known as “Smallz,” has been identified as a member of Florence 13, a South Los Angeles street gang, according to a search warrant.
Outside the courthouse on Monday, actor Micah Parker (pictured) and organizer of “Justice for Johnny Wactor,” said anyone involved in Wacker’s death should never be allowed to walk free.
The fingerprints of Barceleau, Estrada and Gutierrez matched those of the floor jack left in Wactor’s car, the search warrant said.
Authorities said both Gutierrez, or “Tripps,” and Estrafa, known as “Prieto,” are also members of the gang, the LA Times reported.
Witness descriptions pointed to Gutierrez as a suspect in the killing after describing a visible tattoo of an “F” on his face, standing for Florence, police said.
Barceleau, of Huntington Park, was charged with murder, including a special circumstance allegation of murder in the commission of robbery, attempted robbery and grand larceny, both while armed with a firearm.
If convicted, the accused shooter faces life in prison without the possibility of parole.
Estrada was charged with one count of murder with an allegation that the principal was armed with a firearm, one count of attempted robbery with an allegation that the principal was armed with a firearm, and one count of grand larceny with an allegation that the principal was armed with a firearm.
Gutierrez was charged with attempted robbery and grand larceny with allegations that a perpetrator was armed with a firearm, while Olano was charged with accessory to murder.
“While this was not an easy case for anyone involved, I am confident that we have the right people with the right charges,” said Los Angeles Police Department Chief Dominic Choi.
Wactor portrayed Brando Corbin on the ABC soap opera ‘General Hospital’ in 164 episodes from 2020 to 2022
At the time of the brazen attack, Wactor, who thought he was being towed, was confronted by a group of men who had lifted his car after finishing a night shift as a bartender at a nearby bar. (pictured: Wacker with his family)
‘To the family and loved ones of Johnny Wactor: We know that no amount of legal action can bring back the person you have lost, but we hope that today’s announcement provides some comfort in knowing that those responsible will be held accountable for their actions,’ she added.
Outside the courthouse Monday, actor Micah Parker and organizer of “Justice for Johnny Wactor” said anyone involved in Wacker’s death should never be allowed to walk free.
“I don’t think it’s fair that these suspects, who killed Johnny, should ever be free again,” Parker said.
Wactor died a hero, with family members previously telling DailyMail.com that he had taken a position to shield Joy from the gunfire.
Joy said that after the shooting she asked him if he was OK.
He could only reply: “No! Shoot!”
Joy took to social media to share her brave final moments, describing how her friend of eight years “fought to stay alive” before she died.
“It all happened in an instant,” he wrote of the attack.
“I’ve come to describe it as a glass of water that tips over and you’re struggling to grab it and stop it from spilling completely, but it just slips through your fingers and disappears.”
She said she finds comfort in the fact that she was with him and that Wactor did not die alone, but added that she remains “heartbroken and very angry.”
Joy, a longtime friend and co-worker of Wactor’s, said she finds comfort in the fact that she was with him and that he did not die alone, but added that she remains “heartbroken and very angry.”
“My only other peace will be seeing these horrible men brought to justice.”
Wactor portrayed Brando Corbin on the ABC soap opera ‘General Hospital’ in 164 episodes from 2020 to 2022.
He also appeared in a variety of films and television series, including ‘Station 19,’ ‘NCIS,’ ‘Westworld’ and the video game ‘Call of Duty: Vanguard.’
Violent crime in Los Angeles has been on the rise: The Los Angeles Police Department recorded a 2.9 percent increase at the end of March 2024, compared to the same period last year.
Around 600,000 catalytic converters are stolen each year.
Most cars are equipped with one converter, but those with a dual exhaust system require two. Larger vehicles, such as SUVs and trucks, may have more than two.
According to the New York Times, stolen catalytic converters pass through “middlemen, smelters and refineries in the United States and abroad.”
They can be stolen in less than a minute and cost around $1,000 to replace.
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