Killing of Johnny Wactor: District Attorney and LAPD Chief file charges in case of shooting of former “General Hospital” actor

LOS ANGELES (CNS) — As suspects in the fatal shooting of “General Hospital” actor Johnny Wactor await formal arraignment on Monday, Wactor's friends and family will hold a morning press conference to demand that District Attorney George Gascón impose harsh penalties on the accused killers — and that Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass crack down on “the increasing violent robberies that are terrorizing our neighborhoods.”

“The family and community are calling on the city to take the strongest possible action against these violent crimes and to enact measures that will curb the alarming rise in violent crime throughout Los Angeles,” the group #JusticeForJohnny said in a statement Friday. “The tragic death of Johnny Wactor … has sent shockwaves throughout Los Angeles and underscored the urgent need to combat the rising tide of violent crime in our city.”

“While the Los Angeles Police Department's recent arrest of the four suspects in Wactor's murder is a step toward justice, it is not enough. Mayor Karen Bass must take immediate and decisive action to combat the rising levels of violent crime that are terrorizing our neighborhoods.”

Gascón will file charges in the case at a press conference on Monday at 3 p.m., which will also be attended by LAPD Acting Chief Dominic Choi.

The 9 a.m. press conference is scheduled to take place outside the Los Angeles Criminal Court building. Actor Micah Parker, a friend of Wactor and organizer of the group #JusticeForJohnny, will be among the speakers. Wactor's mother, Scarlett Wactor, will not be in attendance, but comments from her will be read, the group said.

Gascón, who is running for re-election in November against former federal prosecutor Nathan Hochman, has been criticized during his first term for policies that some see as lenient on crime, including his refusal to call for tougher penalties for things like using a firearm, being part of a gang or committing a second or third offense.

Since taking office, Gascón has backed down from his original stance against sentencing enhancements, and Parker told City News Service that #JusticeForJohnny will support any possible sentencing enhancement in Wactor's killing.

The press conference comes four days after a series of early morning raids by Los Angeles police resulted in four arrests in connection with the killing of Wactor, 37. The actor was shot and killed on May 25 when he encountered a gang attempting to steal the catalytic converter from his parked car in downtown Los Angeles.

Robert Barceleau, 18, of Huntington Park; Sergio Estrada, 18; and Leonel Gutierrez, 18, who were listed only as Los Angeles County residents, were all arrested on suspicion of murder. Frank Olano, 22, of Inglewood, was arrested on a charge of accessory to murder.

Jail records show Barceleau, Gutierrez and Olano are all being held on $2 million bail. Estrada had no record in the prison system.

Parker told reporters outside LAPD headquarters Thursday that officers called Wactor's mother that day and told her there had been several arrests.

The Los Angeles Times, citing an affidavit in support of a search warrant, reported that police targeted Barceleau, Estrada and Gutierrez because their fingerprints were found on a car jack they allegedly used while trying to steal Wactor's catalytic converter. Olano's role in the case remained unclear.

Television footage showed officers executing a warrant in the area of ​​62nd Street and Wilton Place in South Los Angeles on Thursday morning. The Times reported that the investigation was targeting a specific street gang linked to catalytic converter thefts.

Neighbors told reporters that officers have been distributing informational pamphlets about the Wactor investigation in the neighborhood to solicit tips. One neighbor told KTLA5 that the individuals in the home targeted by police Thursday have long been a problem for the neighborhood and have even stolen catalytic converters from vehicles parked on that street.

Wactor was shot around 3:30 a.m. on May 25 as he and a co-worker walked to his parked car near Hope Street and Pico Boulevard after finishing his shift as a bartender at the nearby Level 8 bar/restaurant.

According to police, the two encountered a gang of men attempting to steal the catalytic converter from Wactor's car, and one of them shot Wactor as he approached.

The suspects lifted Wactor's vehicle with a jack and were trying to steal the catalytic converter, police said. Wactor was shot by one of the perpetrators without provocation.

Last Tuesday, relatives and friends of Wactor gathered at City Hall to urge anyone with information about his death to come forward.

“Grief is my constant companion,” Scarlett Wactor said. “He promised me he would be here with me today. I can't wish him a happy birthday on August 31st. He would have turned 38. I can't ask him if he's coming home for Christmas. I can't ask him how his day was, if he's going to climb. Because of what these people did, I don't get any of that anymore.”

After the arrests were announced on Thursday, Bass issued a statement saying: “I want to thank 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. Now we must ensure that those responsible for this brazen and heinous act are held fully accountable.”

The LAPD had released surveillance photos of the suspects who are believed to have killed Wactor, as well as images of a suspected stolen vehicle that the suspects are believed to have used to escape.

According to police, the suspects drove away from the scene in a stolen 2018 black four-door Infiniti Q50 with a tan interior. The suspects, all wearing dark clothing, allegedly drove away north on Hope Street. One of the suspects had a tattoo above his left eye and on his right cheek, police said.

Catalytic converters are a popular target for thieves because they are rich in precious metals that can be resold.

Wactor appeared in nearly 200 episodes of General Hospital from 2020 to 2022. His other roles have included Westworld, The OA, NCIS, Station 19, Criminal Minds and Hollywood Girl.

ABC News contributed to this report.