Almost three months after General Hospital actor Johnny Wactor was killed at the age of 37, Los Angeles police have arrested several suspects in connection with his murder.
The LAPD confirmed in a statement shared with PEOPLE that on Thursday, Aug. 15, they arrested four people and recovered evidence for their ongoing investigation into the May 25 shooting of Wactor, who was killed after encountering armed carjackers. They were trying to steal a catalytic converter from Wactor’s vehicle.
“Early this morning, the Los Angeles Police Department’s Central Homicide Bureau executed search warrants in connection with the case of John Wactor at several locations throughout Los Angeles.” it is stated in the press release.
That led to four men being charged with murder: Robert Barceleau, 18, of Huntington Park; Frank Olano, 22, of Inglewood; as well as Leonel Gutierrez, 18, and Sergio Estrada, 18, both of LA County.
People are calling for justice for the death of Johnny Wactor in June 2024.
Genaro Molina/Los Angeles Times via Getty
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PEOPLE has reached out to Wactor’s manager for comment on the arrests.
The Aug. 15 arrests came just 11 days after the LAPD released photos, taken from video footage, of the suspect and the stolen black Infiniti Q50 sedan that police say the suspects were driving on the day of Wactor’s death.
Wactor’s brother, Grant Wactor, previously told PEOPLE that Johnny — who worked as a bartender — and a female colleague were walking to their vehicles after a shift at a downtown LA bar around 3:25 a.m. at the time of the shooting. Grant said Johnny put his body in front of his colleague and had his hands up when he was shot.
“He didn’t stand up to them,” Grant explained. “He didn’t try to stop them. He was just trying to defuse the situation by taking a step back.”
The medical examiner determined that Wactor died of a gunshot wound to the chest, and his manner of death was listed as a homicide.
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Since his death, a GoFundMe page set up to help his family with expenses has raised more than $144,000 in donations as of August 15.
Wactor’s agent, David Shaul, who confirmed his death to PEOPLE on May 25, remembered his late client as “a spectacular human being.”
“Not only a talented actor who was dedicated to his craft, but a true moral example to all who knew him,” Shaul said in May. “I stand for hard work, persistence and a never-give-up attitude. Through the ups and downs of a challenging profession, he always kept his chin up and continued to strive to be the best he could be.”
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“Our time with Johnny was a privilege we would wish on anyone. He would literally take the shirt off your back,” Shaul added. “After more than a decade together, they will forever leave a hole in our hearts.”
Wactor, who was best known for his General Hospital in the role of Brand Corbin, also appeared in Army Wives, NCIS, The OA, Westworld, The Passenger, Station 19, Barbee Rehab, Siberia, Agent X, Vantastic, Animal Kingdom, Hollywood Girl, Training Day, Criminal Minds and more.
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Source: HIS Education