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Johnny Wactor was shot dead in downtown LA in May, and two men have now been officially charged with murder.
In a press conference on Monday, Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón announced that 18-year-old Robert Barceleau has been charged with “one count of murder with special circumstances of murder during an attempted robbery and personal use of a firearm; one count of attempted robbery with personal use of a firearm; and one count of grand larceny with an allegation that the offender was armed with a firearm.”
This special circumstance could mean a life sentence without the possibility of parole.
In addition, 18-year-old Sergio Estrada was charged with “murder, where the offender was allegedly armed with a firearm; attempted robbery, where the offender was allegedly armed with a firearm; and grand larceny, where the offender was allegedly armed with a firearm.”
Two other men received lesser sentences.
Leonel Gutierrez, 18, was “charged with attempted robbery, where the offender was allegedly armed with a firearm, and with grand larceny, where the offender was allegedly armed with a firearm.”
22-year-old Frank Olano was charged with “aid and abetting murder, receiving stolen goods and three counts of illegal possession of a firearm.”
Johnny’s friends and family gathered for a press conference downtown this morning before the news was released, calling on the City of LA to take the strongest possible action against Johnny’s alleged killers.
Also ahead of the announcement, “True Crime News” host Ana Garcia spoke to Wactor’s mother, Scarlett, for “Extra.” Scarlett was concerned that the alleged killers “might be eligible for parole” under California law, adding, “I don’t like that.”
At the time, she was prepared to take the case to federal court. “I will demand that, because then they can get life without parole,” she said.
Wactor was killed in a shooting on the streets of Los Angeles at 3 a.m. in May. He was walking to his car with his girlfriend, Anita Joy, after a bartending shift. Police reportedly linked the suspects to the crime after fingerprints were found on a car jack they allegedly used to steal a catalytic converter.
Johnny’s longtime friend Micah Parker spoke to “Extra” and remembered the “General Hospital” actor. Micah said, “I don’t understand why the good ones are taken,” adding, “He was selfless. He was the first person to be there to help you when no one else would.”
Parker had a message for the man who shot his friend: “Johnny had a lot to live for in life and you robbed humanity of that. You should be ashamed and face the consequences.”
Micah and Scarlett fight for justice for Johnny and join forces to create a foundation to support the victims’ families.
Scarlett explained: “I’m just amazed at how powerless you feel; you don’t get any answers.”
She continued: “It’s a lot harder when someone was murdered. And he was single, so he didn’t have a wife or a roommate, so you have to go places and prove things.”
Scarlett and Micah are also working together to develop Johnny’s Law, which is designed to help employees who work late into the night.
Scarlett said: “To ensure that employees working at midnight or after hours have secure and guarded parking.”
Micah claimed: “They were promised a safe parking space. And they didn’t get it. So they had to walk down the street at 3 a.m.”
But first, they are preparing for Johnny’s birthday on August 31, when he would have turned 38.
Scarlett said, “We’ll just invite some of his friends over, play some games, have some food and tell some Johnny stories.”
Of course, Micah will follow news of upcoming trials and fight for the maximum possible verdict.
“The fight is not over yet. This is where the real fight begins,” he said.
