Johnny Wactor, 37, former General Hospital actor, shot and killed by catalytic converter thieves, DTLA - Los Angeles, 25 May 2024

[ifindedout]

Johnny Wactor of ‘General Hospital’ shot and killed in downtown Los Angeles

The man shot and killed during an attempted catalytic converter theft in downtown Los Angeles on Saturday has been identified as actor Johnny Wactor, his family confirmed. Wactor, 37, appeared as B…

ktla.com

According to the L.A. Police Department, officers responded to the area of Pico Boulevard and Hope Street around 3:25 a.m. Saturday. Upon arrival, they found a man suffering from a gunshot wound.

Police said the man saw three men stealing the catalytic converter from his vehicle. When he confronted them, they turned around and shot him.

The man, now revealed to be Wactor, died at a local hospital. The suspects have not been found, police said.

New Wikipedia entry
ETA: He played Brando Corbin on GH in the early 2020s

Johnny Wactor - Wikipedia

en.m.wikipedia.org

 

[dotr]

'General Hospital' Actor Johnny Wactor Dead at 37: 'A Spectacular Human Being'

Actor Johnny Wactor has died at the age of 37, PEOPLE can confirm. According to TMZ, which was first to report the news, Wactor — who was best known for his 'General Hospital' role as Brando Corbin — was killed on May 25 after being shot during an alleged theft attempt in Los Angeles.

people.com

‘General Hospital’ actor Johnny Wactor shot, killed during attempted robbery - National | Globalnews.ca

Johnny Wactor appeared in nearly 200 episodes of 'General Hospital' as Brando Corbin.

globalnews.ca

''Wactor’s agent confirmed news of his death. The actor’s mother, Scarlett Wactor, told ABC7 Los Angeles her son was killed when he approached a group of three masked thieves attempting to strip parts from his parked vehicle.

Scarlett said her son had been unaware of the robbery and confronted the thieves, believing that his car was being towed.

The Los Angeles Police Department alleged the robbers had been attempting to steal a catalytic converter from Wactor’s vehicle, parked at Hope Street and Pico Boulevard in downtown Los Angeles.

During the confrontation, one of the thieves shot Wactor, then fled the scene with the two others.''

 

[dotr]

 

[JoeFromLB]

Very sad .
Catalytic converter thefts are skyrocketing in L.A. and surrounding areas. Long Beach has been hit especially hard. It takes maybe two minutes to remove the converter from under the car. The precious metals inside are extremely valuable.

The crime and homelessness in downtown L.A. is staggering. I won't go there anymore.

 

[ifindedout]

BTW, for some perspective, the crime scene is fairly close to the Hope + Flower, last known location of Heidi Planck.

 

[imstilla.grandma]

Family and friends of a Lowcountry actor who was shot and killed in Los Angeles rallied together for a mile-long walk to remember their loved one and keep his case in the spotlight.(Melissa Rademaker | Live 5 News)
“My mother is very adamant on just continue prayer for it, for the capture and conviction of these people. They’re still out there. We’re just still trying to be as hopeful as we can for all of that,” Wactor says.

Wactor says it is encouraging to see so many of their local friends come out and support the event months after Johnny’s death. He says their family is doing their best to keep pressure on the case and is ready to go back to California as needed to get justice in the judicial system when it’s Johnny’s time.

“Just continue to keep it in the light and make sure a blanket doesn’t get cast over it,” Wactor says

Community holds event to remember murdered Charleston actor Johnny Wactor

Family and friends of a Lowcountry actor who was shot and killed in Los Angeles rallied together for a mile-long walk to remember their loved one and keep his case in the spotlight.

www.live5news.com

 

[Dotta]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1820178219376550251

 

[dotr]

Police release new photos of suspects in 'General Hospital' actor's death

Police released new images Sunday of the suspects involved in the killing of "General Hospital" actor Johnny Wactor.

abcnews.go.com

''On Sunday, police released surveillance images from the incident, showing the three individuals suspected in Wactor's death and the car they fled in.

Police are asking for public assistance in identifying the three suspects.

The suspect accused of shooting Wactor has a tattoo above the left eye and on the right cheek, according to police.''

 

[mam544]

View attachment 522592

Police release new photos of suspects in 'General Hospital' actor's death

Police released new images Sunday of the suspects involved in the killing of "General Hospital" actor Johnny Wactor.

abcnews.go.com

''On Sunday, police released surveillance images from the incident, showing the three individuals suspected in Wactor's death and the car they fled in.

Police are asking for public assistance in identifying the three suspects.

The suspect accused of shooting Wactor has a tattoo above the left eye and on the right cheek, according to police.''

So why has it taken this long to release this photo and this information? From May 25 to August 5th. Truly hopeless!

 

[mam544]

So why has it taken this long to release this photo and this information? From May 25 to August 5th. Truly hopeless!

I'll answer my own question, the Police wanted the glory of making an arrest, so they kept this information to themselves. Now they have worked out they don't have a hope of finding the perp, they ask for public assistance. This is just disgraceful.

 

[arielilane]

@NewsNation

Los Angeles police have begun an operation that will result in multiple arrests being made Thursday in connection with the killing of “General Hospital” actor Johnny Wactor, according to reports.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1824150175176139063

Arrests soon in slaying of ‘General Hospital’ actor Johnny Wactor: Reports​

• Johnny Wactor was killed May 25
• The slaying took place during a theft attempt
• Wactor portrayed Brando Corbin on 'General Hospital'

(NewsNation) — Los Angeles police have begun an operation that will result in multiple arrests being made Thursday in connection with the killing of “General Hospital” actor Johnny Wactor, according to reports.

Full article at link ...

https://www.newsnationnow.com/crime/arrests-general-hospital-johnny-wactor-slaying/?utm_source=t.co&utm_campaign=socialflow&utm_medium=referral

Updated: AUG 15, 2024 / 02:31 PM CDT

 

[dotr]

Johnny Wactor Killing: Multiple Suspects Detained in Connection to ‘General Hospital’ Actor’s Murder - IMDb

IMDb, the world's most popular and authoritative source for movie, TV and celebrity content.

m.imdb.com

''The Times reported that anonymous law enforcement sources shared that the Wactor investigation is looking into Florencia 13 gang members tied to catalytic converter thefts in the area. A statement of probable cause was used to obtain warrants for three individuals, whose fingerprints matched those lifted from a floor jack that was employed to steal Wactor’s catalytic converter.''

 

[JoeFromLB]

Arrests made!!
Arrest made in death of ‘General Hospital’ star Johnny Wactor

 

[tezi]

Arrests made!!
Arrest made in death of ‘General Hospital’ star Johnny Wactor

That is great news! I read that all suspects were only 18 years old! I will see if I can find the link!

 

[dotr]

Four suspects arrested in fatal shooting of 'General Hospital' actor Johnny Wactor

Wactor was killed in May after he interrupted three people who authorities have said were stealing his car's catalytic converter.

www.nbcnews.com

'In a statement, the Los Angeles Police Department identified three suspects arrested on suspicion of murder — Robert Barceleau, 18; Leonel Guiterrez, 18; and Sergio Estrada, 18.

Frank Olano, 22, was accused of being an accessory to the crime, the department said.

They were arrested and evidence was discovered after the department’s central homicide bureau carried out search warrants at locations throughout Los Angeles, the statement said.'

 

[dotr]

Two 18-year-olds charged with murder of former 'General Hospital' actor Johnny Wactor

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Two 18-year-old men have been charged with murder in the killing of former “General Hospital” actor Johnny Wactor .

www.lakelandtoday.ca

''Barceleau and Estrada were also both charged with grand theft and attempted robbery.
Barceleau's charges include special circumstances, including murder during an attempted robbery and personal use of a firearm, that after a conviction could lead to a life sentence without possibility of parole. Estrada's charges have a maximum sentence of life in prison.

A third man who authorities allege were with them, Leonel Gutierrez, was charged with grand theft and attempted robbery. A fourth, Frank Olano, was charged with being an accessory after the fact.

Wactor's death has become a rallying point for some in the city pushing for a more hardline approach to fighting crime.''
'Barceleau was being held without bail, and Estrada on just over $1 million bail.'

 

[JoeFromLB]

These men are suspected members of a violent Los Angeles street gang called Florencia 13. It was founded way back in the 1930's and has 2,000-3,000 estimated members in several countries and U.S. states.
Grand Jury indictments were handed down earlier in August on 37 defendants on serious charges including murder and extortion.

The gangs and cartels are all over the U.S.
My own opinion? Until mass roundups and serious penalties are pursued these gangs will continue to grow and be a cancer on our country. But I am aware there are not enough prisons to hold them all.

My own street in Long Beach was hit recently by cat thefts including my own car.

/rant over