An arrest has been made in connection with the murder of “General Hospital” star Johnny Wactor.
The Los Angeles Police Department announced late Thursday that its Central Homicide Unit executed search warrants in Wachter’s case and conducted searches at several locations across Los Angeles, resulting in four arrests and the seizure of evidence.
Three men were arrested on suspicion of murder: Robert Barcerau, 18, Leonel Guiterrez, 18, and Sergio Estrada, 18. A fourth man, Frank Olano, 22, was on an active arrest warrant as an accomplice.
Wachter’s mother, Scarlett Wachter, also spoke to Fox News Digital about the arrest and said she would be given more information Monday morning.
An arrest has been made in the shooting death of “General Hospital” star Johnny Wactor. (Gilbert Carrasquillo/GC Images)
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“It’s good news. I’m excited,” she said, adding that she hopes the perpetrators receive stiff prison sentences. “I know some people never make it to this point, but I’m very happy,” she added.
Wachter was shot and killed in the early hours of May 25th in downtown Los Angeles as he and a coworker were walking home from their bartending job.
In a press release obtained by Fox News Digital, the Los Angeles Police Department said Wachter “was apprehended by three men” after he noticed “a vehicle being lifted on a floor jack and attempting to steal the catalytic converter,” one of whom shot and killed Wachter.
“Officers from the Los Angeles Police Department’s Central District received a radio call reporting an assault with a deadly weapon and a shooting in the 1200 block of Hope Street,” according to the release. “When officers arrived on scene, they found the victim, identified as John William Wachter, 37, suffering from a gunshot wound. Officers began administering aid to the victim and requested emergency medical services.”
Wachter was later pronounced dead at the hospital.
The 37-year-old actor was shot and killed in downtown Los Angeles in the early hours of May 25 by suspects who were trying to steal a catalytic converter from his car. (Scott Kirkland/ABC via Getty Images)
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Scarlett told Fox News Digital that Wachter and a co-worker had been asked to stay late at the rooftop bar where they worked, and that Wachter was killed on the way back to his car.
“They were walking out to their car, and when they got there they saw Johnny’s car parked in front of my coworker’s car, pulled over to one side and jacked up, and from what I understand he said, ‘Hey, are you towing my car?’ … And the guy looked up and he had his mask on, so he knew they weren’t doing that, and he stood in front of my coworker and stepped back and put his hands up, and they shot him,” Scarlett said.
She discovered that her workplace did not have a designated parking lot for employees.
“In my opinion, if he had gotten there two minutes earlier or two minutes later, he would have survived,” Scarlett said.
The actress’ mother, Scarlett Wachter, told Fox News Digital that her son and a co-worker were confronted by the suspects as they were leaving the bar where she worked. (Craig Sjodin/ABC via Getty Images)
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“And the funny thing is, he didn’t try to stop them from taking the car. They could have just walked away or taken the car. He probably would have just given it to them,” she added. “They were really cowards.”[ly] I hope they catch the culprit and that justice is served for Johnny. That’s all I can hope and pray for. We will see him again. But above ground, it’s going to be a very, very long road without him, for me and his brothers.”
Anita Joy, a colleague of Wachter’s, spoke out in the days after his death, providing harrowing details of the incident.
“In my opinion … if he had been two minutes earlier or two minutes later, he would have been alive.”
“I needed time to gather my emotions. I was with Johnny in his final moments and I am here to be his voice after such an unthinkable event,” she wrote. Instagram post.
“He was senselessly murdered by cowards who reacted with no care about the amazing lives they were taking,” she wrote in the post. “I am angry, sad and every emotion at the same time but above all I am here for justice for Johnny.”
“Johnny was between me and the man who shot him,” she continued. “He was too close and his injuries were too severe for him to survive, but he fought to survive,” she wrote. “I am absolutely heartbroken and so angry. The only thing I have peace of mind is knowing I am with him and this did not happen to him alone. The only other peace I have is seeing these awful men brought to justice.”
Days after Wachter was shot, Anita Joy, the co-worker who held him in his final moments, shared harrowing new details about the events that led to his death. (Getty/Anita Joy Instagram)
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Friends and family gathered in Los Angeles on June 12 for a press conference and demonstration demanding an explanation from Wachter, using the hashtag #JusticeforJohnny.
His brother, Grant Wachter, told those in attendance, “We want something to be done. My family and I don’t live here, but Johnny’s friends, Johnny has roots here. Johnny still has roots here and he’s going to continue to have roots here. So we want our city to be safer for them. … We want it to happen sooner rather than later. We appreciate all the work that’s being done to find and capture all of these people and we hope that whatever resources we need will come back to our city.” [are] Still available [used]”
On August 4, the Los Angeles Police Department issued a community alert containing photos of the suspects believed to be involved in Wachter’s death.
Police described the stolen vehicle as a 2018 black four-door Infiniti Q50 with a tan interior.
Los Angeles Police Department detectives on May 25 released photos of suspects believed to be involved in the murder of “General Hospital” star Johnny Wactor. (Los Angeles Police Department)
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After photos of the suspects were released, family and friends of Scarlett and Wachter held an event on Tuesday asking the public for their help in the search.
“I would urge anyone who knows anything to come forward,” Scarlett said. The Associated Press.
“My only comfort is knowing that I am with him and this didn’t happen to him alone. My other comfort is seeing these awful men brought to justice.”
“Knowing that they were caught and convicted will help heal me and his brothers.”
“Sorrow is my constant companion. I can’t celebrate his birthday on Aug. 31 – he would have turned 38. I can’t ask him if he’ll be home for Christmas. I can’t ask him how his day was,” she said.
Johnny Wactor’s mother, Scarlett, has asked for the public’s help in finding her son’s killer. (Damien Dvarganes)
Family of slain ‘General Hospital’ actor Johnny Wactor makes public plea to find killer
Wachter played the role of Brando Corbin on “General Hospital” for 164 episodes from 2020 to 2022. His other credits include “Animal Kingdom,” “Criminal Minds” and “Westworld.”
Wachter’s funeral was held in June at Summerville Baptist Church in his hometown of Summerville, South Carolina, and was attended by family members, including his mother, Scarlett, and brothers Grant and Lance.
Scarlett previously told Fox News Digital that her son’s death “doesn’t need to go in vain.”
“That whole city needs to change. Obviously I can’t vote or do anything, but I just have to keep lobbying like that and keep the pressure on that place until it changes,” she said from her home in South Carolina.
Wachter’s funeral was held in June in his home state of South Carolina. (Michael Thalberg/Getty Images)
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“It’s sad, but I want it to be a safe place for other people who live there. I know we can’t stop everything, but no one needs to die. I hope this inspires some change.”
