Several people arrested in connection with the murder of “General Hospital” actor Johnny Wactor

The actor was shot dead in downtown Los Angeles on May 25 after he stopped three people from stealing his car's catalytic converter.

Four people were arrested in connection with the fatal shooting. General Hospital Star Johnny Wactor. The Los Angeles Police Department announced Thursday that three suspects – Robert Barceleau, Leonel Gutierrez and Sergio Estrada, all 18 and residents of Los Angeles – were arrested on suspicion of murder. A warrant was issued for a fourth suspect, 22-year-old Frank Olano, on charges of “accessory after the fact.”

According to LAPD, the four arrests occurred early Thursday morning after “the Los Angeles Police Department's Homicide Unit served search warrants at multiple locations in Los Angeles in connection with the John Wactor case.” The search warrants “resulted in the arrest of four individuals and the seizure of evidence.” Barceleau, Gutierrez and Olano's bail was set at $2 million, according to booking records reviewed by police. USA TODAY. Records on Estrada were unavailable. Their arrests came just 11 days after the LAPD released still images from video footage of the suspects and the stolen black Infiniti Q50 sedan they were driving.

Wactor was shot on May 25 as he and a co-worker were walking to their cars after their shift at a downtown Los Angeles bar. Police said the two found three men lifting Wactor's vehicle with a jack and stealing the catalytic converter. His co-worker, Anita Joy, said they initially thought the vehicle was being towed. She said they “were not a threat and Jonny remained calm as usual and just said it was his car and they should go. Hands outstretched at his sides in peace.” Wactor was shot without provocation.

“He didn't confront them. He didn't try to stop them. He just tried to defuse the situation by stepping back,” his brother Grant Wactor said earlier. PEOPLEGrant added that he believes the suspects “weren't expecting anyone to come at them, so they were scared. And there's nothing more dangerous than a coward with a gun in his hand.”

By the time police arrived at the scene, the suspects had already fled in a dark sedan. Wactor, a native of Charleston, South Carolina, was taken to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead.

The actor was best known for his portrayal of Brando Corbin in General Hospital. He starred in 164 episodes of the long-running soap opera from 2020 to 2022. After his death, the show honored him with a title card in Wactor's memory at the end of the June 11 episode. Wactor's other credits include Station 19, Westworld, The OA, NCIS: Secret Service Stories, Criminal Minds, Training day, Wildlifeand more.

Wactor’s agent, David Shaul, remembered him as a “spectacular human being” and added in a statement: diversity“Our time with Johnny was a privilege we would wish on anyone. He would literally give you the shirt off his back. After more than a decade together, he will forever leave a hole in our hearts.”

In a statement following the arrests on August 15, Mayor Karen Bass thanked the LAPD “for their partnership and hard work on this case and for their continued efforts to keep the residents of Los Angeles safe and bring justice to victims of violence.” Bass added, “Now we must ensure that those responsible for this brazen and heinous act are held fully accountable.”