2 charged with murder of “General Hospital” actor Johnny Wactor

Two juvenile suspects are charged with the murder of Johnny Wactor, the “General Hospital” actor who authorities say was gunned down in May after preventing the theft of a catalytic converter, prosecutors announced Monday.

Robert Barceleau and Sergio Estrada, both 18, have each been charged with one count of murder, according to a statement from Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón.

Barceleau's murder charge includes a special allegation of killing during an attempted robbery and personal use of a firearm. He also faces charges of attempted robbery and grand larceny, both allegedly committed while armed with a firearm, prosecutors said.

If convicted, Barceleau could be sentenced to life imprisonment without parole, prosecutors said.

Estrada is also charged with attempted robbery and grand theft, both of which were allegedly committed while armed. If convicted, he could face life in prison.

Barceleau and Estrada, as well as 18-year-old Leonel Gutierrez and 22-year-old Frank Olano, were arrested last week.

Gutierrez is accused of attempted robbery and grand theft. He is said to have been armed with a firearm during both alleged crimes, the prosecutor's office said. Olano is accused of aiding and abetting murder, receiving stolen goods and three counts of illegal possession of weapons.

If convicted, Gutierrez faces four years and eight months in prison and Olano five years and eight months, according to prosecutors.

Late Monday, it was unclear whether any of the four suspects had hired a lawyer who could speak on their behalf.

“Johnny Wactor’s life was senselessly taken as he simply walked to his parked car in downtown Los Angeles,” Gascón said in the statement. “We are committed to seeking justice for Mr. Wactor and ensuring those responsible are held accountable for their actions.”

Wactor was a “talented young actor who was in the prime of his life and had so much to offer the world,” Gascón said.

Arraignment of the suspects was scheduled for Monday, prosecutors said. Before the arraignment, Barceleau was being held without bail, Estrada on $2,070,000 bail, Olano on $1,080,000 bail and Gutierrez on $120,000 bail, prosecutors said.

Wactor, 37, was fatally shot after he finished a shift as a bartender in downtown Los Angeles and found three men lifting his car with a jack and stealing the catalytic converter, police said.

A friend and co-worker who was with him during the fatal encounter said that as they approached the car, it looked like it might be being towed.

“We were not a threat and Jonny remained calm as usual. He just said it was his car and they should go. His hands were open at his sides in peace,” girlfriend Anita Joy wrote on Instagram a few days after the murder.

Wactor, from Charleston, South Carolina, played Brando Corbin in 163 episodes of “General Hospital.”