Members of a Los Angeles teenage gang accused of murdering General Hospital star Johnny Wactor have implicated themselves in the horrific attack in jailhouse taped conversations, law enforcement sources said.
Robert Barceleau, 18, and Sergio Estrada, 18, members of the Florencia 13 gang, were both charged with murder, among other alleged crimes, in connection with Wactor’s death.
Wactor, 37, was shot to death in downtown Los Angeles on May 25 by thieves trying to steal the catalytic converter from his car, just after he left his job as a bartender at the Moxy Hotel.
Two other men, Leonel Gutierrez, 18, and Frank Olano, 22, were charged with lesser crimes in connection with the “senseless” death of the beloved actor.
“The loss of this talented young actor, who was in the prime of his life and had so much to offer the world, is deeply felt by all of us,” Los Angeles County District Attorney Georg Gascón announced Monday.
Robert Barceleau, 18, and Sergio Estrada, 18, were both charged with murder, among other charges, in connection with the death of Johnny Wactor
Wactor, 37, was shot and killed in Downtown Los Angeles on May 25 by thieves who attempted to steal the catalytic converter from his vehicle as he left his job as a bartender at the Moxy Hotel.
“Mr. Wactor’s work and presence have touched the lives of many and our condolences go out to his family, friends and the entire community as they mourn this devastating loss.”
At the time of the brutal attack, Wactor thought he was being towed away and confronted a group of men who had jacked up his car after he had finished a late shift as a barmaid, along with his colleague and close friend Anita Joy.
Joy, who witnessed the horrific shooting, said Wactor asked the men to leave and held up his hands to show he posed no threat before he was shot in the chest at close range.
According to Gascón, Barceleau was the one who allegedly shot the soap actor. Wactor was taken to a hospital where he was pronounced dead, Gascón said.
Barceleau, Gutierrez and Estrada were arrested and booked on suspicion of murder on Thursday, nearly three months after the killing. Olana was also arrested on suspicion of complicity in murder.
Barceleau, also known as “Smallz,” was identified as a member of Florencia 13, a South Los Angeles street gang, according to a search warrant.
Outside the courthouse Monday, actor Micah Parker (pictured) and the organizer of “Justice for Johnny Wactor” said anyone involved in Wacker’s death should never walk free again.
The fingerprints of Barceleau, Estrada and Gutierrez matched those on the jack left near Wactor’s car, the search warrant said.
Authorities say both Gutierrez, or “Tripps,” and Estrafa, better known as “Prieto,” are members of the gang, the LA Times reported.
Gutierrez is considered a suspect in the murder case, according to witness statements, who say he has a visible “F” tattoo on his face, which stands for Florencia, police said.
Barceleau, of Huntington Park, was charged with murder, including the special circumstance of committing a robbery, attempted robbery and grand larceny, both while possessing a firearm.
If found guilty, the suspect faces life imprisonment without the possibility of parole.
Estrada was charged with murder in which the director was accused of using a firearm, attempted robbery in which the director was accused of using a firearm, and robbery in which the director was accused of using a firearm.
Gutierrez was charged with attempted robbery and grand larceny, with the director accused of using a firearm. Olano was charged with complicity in murder.
“While this was not an easy case for those involved, I am confident we have the right people on the right charges,” said LAPD Chief Dominic Choi.
Wactor played Brando Corbin on the ABC soap opera ‘General Hospital’ for 164 episodes from 2020 to 2022
At the time of the brutal attack, Wactor, who thought he was being towed, confronted a group of men who had jacked up his car after he had finished a late bar shift nearby. (Pictured: Wacker with his family)
“To the family and loved ones of Johnny Wactor: We know that no legal action can ever bring back the person you lost, but we hope today’s announcement gives you some comfort in knowing that those responsible will be held accountable for their actions,” he added.
Outside court Monday, actor Micah Parker and the organizer of “Justice for Johnny Wactor” said anyone involved in Wacker’s death should never walk free again.
“I don’t think it’s fair that these defendants, whoever killed Johnny, should ever be released,” Parker said.
Wactor died a hero, his family members previously told DailyMail.com that he had positioned himself to shield Joy from the gunfire.
Joy said she asked him after the shooting if he was okay.
He could only answer, “No! Shot!”
Joy shared his courageous final moments on social media, describing how her friend of eight years “fought to stay alive” before she died.
“Everything happened in the blink of an eye,” she wrote of the attack.
“I describe it as a glass of water tipping over and you’re trying to pick it up as quickly as possible so it doesn’t spill all the way over the edge, but it slips through your fingertips and is gone.”
She said she takes comfort in the fact that she was with him and that Wactor did not die alone, but added that she is still “heartbroken and very angry.”
Joy, Wactor’s close friend and colleague, said she takes comfort in the fact that she was with him and that he did not die alone, but added that she is still “heartbroken and so incredibly angry.”
“The only other peace I can find is seeing these terrible men brought to justice.”
The actor played Brando Corbin on the ABC soap opera ‘General Hospital’ for 164 episodes from 2020 to 2022.
He also appeared in several films and TV series, including ‘Station 19’, ‘NCIS’, ‘Westworld’ and the video game ‘Call of Duty: Vanguard’.
Violent crime is on the rise in Los Angeles, with the LAPD recording a 2.9 percent increase in late March 2024 compared to the same period last year.
Approximately 600,000 catalytic converters are stolen every year.
Most cars come equipped with one inverter, but those with dual exhaust systems require two. Larger vehicles such as SUVs and trucks may have more than two.
According to the New York Times, stolen catalysts are sold through “middlemen, smelters and refiners in the United States and abroad.”
They can be stolen in under a minute and cost about $1,000 to replace.
