Four suspects arrested in connection with tragic shooting of General Hospital's Johnny Wactor

Nearly three months after the tragic death of General Hospital actor Johnny Wactor, who was shot and killed at the age of 37, the Los Angeles Police Department has made significant progress in the investigation. On Thursday, August 15, the LAPD announced the arrest of several suspects in connection with the shocking crime.

Johnny, popular for his role as Brando Corbin on the long-running soap opera, was killed on May 25 when he encountered armed car thieves attempting to steal the catalytic converter from his car.

The incident occurred in downtown Los Angeles as Johnny and a co-worker were walking to their cars after their shift at a local bar. Johnny reportedly bravely stepped in front of his co-worker and raised his hands to defuse the dangerous situation, but tragically, he was shot.

In a statement, the LAPD said it had issued search warrants at several locations in Los Angeles as part of the investigation into Johnny's death.

This led to the arrest of four people: Robert Barceleau, 18, of Huntington Park; Frank Olano, 22, of Inglewood; and Leonel Gutierrez, 18, and Sergio Estrada, 18, both of Los Angeles County. All four men were charged with murder.

© Genaro Molina

The arrests come just 11 days after the LAPD released still images from video footage showing the suspects and the stolen black Infiniti Q50 sedan they were allegedly driving on the day of Johnny's death. These images were crucial to identifying and arresting the suspects.

Johnny's brother Grant shared heartbreaking details of the incident with People, explaining that Johnny was simply trying to protect his co-worker and de-escalate the situation when he was senselessly gunned down. “He didn't confront her,” Grant said. “He didn't try to stop her. He just tried to defuse the situation by stepping back.”

The Los Angeles County Coroner later confirmed that Johnny died of a gunshot wound to the chest, and his death was ruled a homicide. The news sent shockwaves through the entertainment industry, where Wactor was not only respected for his acting talent, but also loved for his kindness and generosity.

Following this devastating loss, a GoFundMe page was set up to assist Johnny's family with their expenses. As of August 15, the fund has raised more than $144,000, a testament to the outpouring of love and support from fans and colleagues alike.

David Shaul, Johnny's agent, was among those who paid tribute to the late actor. In a statement to People, Shaul described Wactor as “a spectacular human being,” emphasizing his unwavering dedication to his craft and exemplary moral character. “Not only a talented actor dedicated to his craft, but a true moral role model to all who knew him,” Shaul said.

Instagram

“He represents hard work, persistence and a never-give-up attitude. Through the ups and downs of a demanding profession, he always kept his head up and continued to strive to be the best he could be.”

Shaul also spoke about the deep personal connection he shared, saying, “Our time with Johnny was a privilege we would wish on anyone. He would literally give you the shirt off his back. After over a decade together, he will forever leave a hole in our hearts.”

© Getty

Johnny's acting career has included several notable roles on television and film. In addition to his memorable performance on General Hospital, he has appeared in a number of other popular shows, including Army Wives, NCIS, The OA, Westworld, and Station 19. He has also appeared in films such as The Passenger and Barbee Rehab.