Two 18-year-old men, Robert Barceleau and Sergio Estrada, have been charged with murder in the killing of former General Hospital actor Johnny Wactor. The men were each charged on Monday in the Los Angeles County Superior Court, according to District Attorney George Gascon. Gascon expressed the deep condolences of the court to Wactor’s family and friends, stating, “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.”
Wactor, 37, was shot and killed on May 25 when he interrupted three thieves stealing the catalytic converter from his car. Police said that the thieves, including Barceleau and Estrada, had hoisted Wactor’s car on a downtown LA rooftop bar and one of them fired at him without provocation. Barceleau and Estrada were also charged with grand theft and attempted robbery. Barceleau’s charges include special circumstances, such as murder during an attempted robbery and personal use of a firearm, which could lead to a life sentence without possibility of parole. Estrada’s charges have a maximum sentence of life in prison.
Johnny Wactor (Image via Getty)
A third man, Leonel Gutierrez, was charged with grand theft and attempted robbery, while a fourth, Frank Olano, was charged with being an accessory after the fact. The investigation into Wactor’s death has been an “ongoing and relentless pursuit” by the Los Angeles Police Department, according to Interim Chief Dominic Choi. Choi stated that the case is “very difficult,” but added that the department is committed to pursuing justice.
The case has become a rallying point for some in the city pushing for a more hardline approach to fighting crime. A group called “Justice for Johnny” has organized rallies calling for more urgency in the investigation and aggressive prosecution. Police and public officials, however, have emphasized that they are already taking a tough stance on the case. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass stated in a statement that “we must continue to take aggressive action to make our city safer.”
