Killing of Johnny Wactor: 2 charged with murder of ‘General Hospital’ actor

LOS ANGELES (KABC) — Two of the four suspects arrested in connection with the killing of former “General Hospital” actor Johnny Wactor have been charged with murder.

Robert Barceleau and Sergio Estrada, both 18, were charged Monday in Los Angeles County Superior Court, District Attorney George Gascón said at a news conference.

Barceleau, of Huntington Park, was charged with murder, including killing during a robbery, which could result in life in prison without parole. He was also charged with attempted robbery and grand larceny, both counts involving the allegation that he was armed with a firearm.

Estrada was also charged with murder, but without the special circumstances charge. He was also charged with attempted robbery and grand larceny, both times allegedly while armed with a firearm. The maximum sentence for Estrada's charges is life in prison.

Leonel Gutierrez, 18, was charged with attempted robbery and grand larceny, both of which he was accused of being armed. The fourth suspect in the case, 22-year-old Frank Olano of Inglewood, was charged with aiding and abetting murder, receiving stolen property and three counts of illegal possession of a firearm.

Wactor was shot and killed on May 25 as he stopped three thieves from stealing the catalytic converter from his car. Police said the 37-year-old was leaving work at a rooftop bar in downtown Los Angeles with a co-worker when he saw three men lifting his car. Police said one of them shot and killed him without provocation.

According to the Los Angeles Police Department, the defendants are linked to the Florencia 13 gang and have extensive criminal records.

According to prosecutors, Barceleau was being held without bail, and Estrada's bail was set at just over $2 million.

The four suspects were arrested last Thursday.

Wactor's friends and family expressed their joy at the indictment, but were disappointed that no increased gang charges were sought.

Friends, family and supporters of the 37-year-old actor gathered in downtown Los Angeles on Monday morning and made an emotional appeal to prosecutors to demand harsher sentences for the suspects.

The group “Justice for Johnny” also called on the city to take as tough a course of action as possible against the suspects involved. Supporters called for charges to be brought in federal court.

City News Service and Associated Press contributed to this report.