Two of the 4 men arrested in the slaying of “General Hospital” star Johnny Wactor have been slapped with murder charges.
Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón announced the charges Monday, while 4 men have been charged with multiple felonies in connection with Wactor’s death, only 2 were hit with murder counts.
Prosecutors say 18-year-olds Robert Barceleau and Sergio Estrada are both charged with the murder of Johnny Wactor.
Barceleau’s charge includes a special circumstance allegation of murder during an attempted robbery … and, as a result, he’s facing the possibility of life in prison without parole.
He’s also charged with one count each of attempted robbery and grand theft, both while armed with a gun.
Estrada is also charged with murder, as well as attempted robbery and grand theft, both while armed with a gun … but unlike Barceleau, his murder charge does not include the special circumstance allegation.
Meanwhile, 19-year-old Leonel Gutierrez is charged with attempted robbery and grand theft while armed with a gun.
The fourth suspect is 22-year-old Frank Olano … he’s been charged with accessory after the fact to murder, receiving stolen property, and 3 counts of being a felon with a firearm.
Police swooped in early Thursday and executed multiple arrest and search warrants.
Johnny Wactor was shot and killed back in May after leaving his job as a bartender in downtown L.A. — he approached his car and saw a group of people trying to steal his catalytic converter, and prosecutors say Barceleau shot him in the chest.
The murder charges are a big break in the case, but Johnny’s coworker, who was with him the night he died, has said the actor’s family won’t be at peace until there are convictionsin the case.