Johnny Wactor's friends, family demand maximum punishment for suspects in his death
LOS ANGELES - As the suspects in the shooting death of "General Hospital" actor Johnny Wactor were waiting to be charged, Wactor's friends and family held a press conference to demand District Attorney George Gascón pursue stiff penalties against the accused killers -- and that Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass crack down on "the escalating violent thefts that are terrorizing our neighborhoods."
"We need to hold criminals responsible it's gotten out of control and due to the policies of George Gascón and a soft-on crime approach, this ideological view of law and order, the city has run rampart with crime. So, in this case, we are asking for an example to be made," actor and friend of Wactor, Micah Parker said during a Monday morning press conference.
Friends of Johnny Wactor seek maximum penalties for suspects
Johnny Wactor's friends and family are demanding that District Attorney George Gascón pursue stiff penalties against the accused killers -- and that Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass crack down on "the escalating violent thefts that are terrorizing our neighborhoods."
They asked Gascón to add gun and gang enhancements and want to see all the suspects be sentenced to life without parole.
"We ask that Gascón serve justice and do his job today."
Friends of Wactor and those with the #JusticeForJohnny group met at 9 a.m. Monday outside L.A.'s Criminal Courts Building. Wactor's mother, Scarlett Wactor, was in South Carolina and unable to attend.
"Johnny's birthday is next Saturday, August 31. As Scarlett said last Tuesday at the press conference, she'll never get to tell him `Happy Birthday' ever again. She won't get to call him and ask him if he's coming home for Christmas. She won't get to call him just to say, `I love you. How are you doing?' That was taken away from her, from her family and from all of us. Someone needs to pay for that and they need to pay dearly," said Parker.
"Johnny does not have the opportunity to breathe air on this earth ever again so I don't think it's right that these suspects, whoever killed Johnny ever get to breathe air as free men ever again."
Charges filed
Gascón formally charged the suspects Monday.
Robert Barceleau, 18, of Huntington Park, was charged with murder, including a special circumstance allegation of killing in the commission of a robbery, which could lead to a life-without-parole prison term. He was also charged with attempted robbery and grand theft, both with allegations he was armed with a firearm.
Sergio Estrada, 18, was also charged with murder, but without the special circumstance allegation. He was also charged with attempted robbery and grand theft, both also allegedly while armed with a firearm. Estrada is also facing a life sentence.
Leonel Gutierrez, 18, was charged with attempted robbery and grand theft by embezzlement, both with allegations he was armed. The fourth suspect in the case, Frank Olano, 22, of Inglewood, was charged with being an accessory after the fact to the killing, along with receiving stolen property and three counts of being a felon in possession of a firearm.
Olano's role in the case remains unclear, however officials say he was in possession of stolen items that are not related to Wactor's case.
Gascón said Barceleau was the one who fired the gun.
All four suspects have lengthy criminal records with multiple arrests for multiple offenses as juveniles. Police say they are also affiliated with the Florencia 13 gang, however, none of the charges include gang allegations.
The charges filed only included a special circumstance allegation against Barceleau.
Barceleau is being held without bail. Estrada's bail is set at $2 million and is expected to increase, Gascón said. Olano's bail is set at $1 million and Gutierrez' is set at $120,000.
Arrests made
The Monday morning news conference comes four days after a series of early-morning raids by Los Angeles police, in which four people were arrested in connection with the killing of Wactor, 37. The actor was shot and killed after encountering a crew trying to steal the catalytic converter from his parked car in downtown L.A. on May 25.
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Parker told reporters outside LAPD headquarters Thursday that officers called Wactor's mother that day and informed her that multiple arrests had been made.
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 floor jack they allegedly used while trying to steal Wactor's catalytic converter.
Officers served a warrant Thursday morning in the area of 62nd Street and Wilton Place in South Los Angeles.
What led to the shooting
Wactor was shot around 3:30 a.m. May 25 while walking with a co-worker toward his parked car near Hope Street and Pico Boulevard after finishing his bartending shift at the nearby Level 8 bar/restaurant.
Police said the pair encountered a crew of people trying to steal the catalytic converter from Wactor's car, and that one of them shot Wactor as he approached.
The suspects had Wactor's vehicle raised up with a floor jack and were in the process of stealing the catalytic converter, police said, adding that Wactor was shot by one of the individuals without provocation.
Catalytic converters are popular targets for thieves because they are rich in precious metals that can be resold.
Wactor appeared on nearly 200 episodes of "General Hospital" from 2020-22. His other credits included "Westworld," "The OA," "NCIS," "Station 19," "Criminal Minds" and "Hollywood Girl."
City News Service contributed to this report