Suspect in Robbery that Left “General Hospital” Actor Johnny Wactor Dead Pleads Guilty
Police say the 37-year-old actor was killed on May 25 after a confrontation with four men who were allegedly trying to steal the catalytic converter on his car
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Johnny WactorOne of the four people charged in connection with the incident that left General Hospital actor Johnny Wactor dead is out on bail after pleading guilty to attempted robbery and grand theft, according to several reports.
CBS News, local KTLA 5, and Fox 11 reported Thursday evening that Leonel Gutierrez, 18, was released after posting bail at $120,000 and pleading guilty to the two charges.
Gutierrez is one of four people who were charged following Wactor’s May 25 shooting death in downtown Los Angeles. Wactor was 37.
The Los Angeles Police Department alleged in a statement shared with PEOPLE last month that Guitierrez, as well as Robert Barceleau, 18, Sergio Estrada, 18, and Frank Olano, 22, were attempting to steal the catalytic converter on Wactor’s vehicle when the actor approached them and was shot dead.
Wactor’s brother, Grant Wactor, had previously told PEOPLE that Johnny was working as a bartender at the time. After his shift let off around 3:25 a.m. local time, he and a female colleague were walking back to their vehicles when Wactor allegedly spotted the four men around his car.
Wactor’s brother told PEOPLE the actor had put his hands up before being shot and stood in front of his colleague to protect her. “He did not confront them,” Grant said. “He did not try to stop them. He was just trying to diffuse the situation by stepping back.”
A medical examiner later determined Wactor died from a gunshot wound to the chest, and authorities ruled his death a homicide.
Genaro Molina/Los Angeles Times via Getty
Grant Factor, left, the brother of actor Johnny Wactor, joins a rally to protest the shooting death of actor, at the site where he lost his life, to call for justice and urge city officials to post a reward for information leading to the arrest of killers at 1239 S. Hope St. in Los Angeles on June 12, 2024. Brian Barkley, right, who worked with Johnny Wactor, was with him when he was shoBarceleau and Estrada were charged with murder in addition to attempted robbery charges, according to CBS News. Olano was reportedly charged with being an accessory, receiving stolen property and was charged with three counts of possessing a firearm as a felon. All three men pleaded not guilty to their charges last month, according to the outlet.
Earlier this year, Wactor’s agent David Shaul told PEOPLE his client was “a spectacular human being” who “always kept his chin up and kept striving for the best he could be.”
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Genaro Molina/Los Angeles Times via Getty
Some of the more than one hundred friends, actors and family protests in front of City Hall to call for justice in the shooting death of actor Johnny Wactor and urge city officials to post a reward for information leading to the arrest of the killers in Los Angeles on June 12, 2024“Our time with Johnny was a privilege we would wish on everyone. He would literally give you the shirt off his back,” Shaul added. “After over a decade together, he will leave a hole in our hearts forever.”
Wactor, who was best known for his General Hospital role as Brando Corbin, also appeared in Army Wives, NCIS, The OA, Westworld, The Passenger, Station 19, Barbee Rehab, Siberia, Agent X, Vantastic, Animal Kingdom, Hollywood Girl, Training Day, Criminal Minds and more.
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