‘General Hospital’ Actor Johnny Wactor Pleads Guilty to Robbery Suspect

Leonel Gutierrez, one of four men charged with the attempted robbery and murder of “General Hospital” actor Johnny Wactor, pleaded guilty to all charges Wednesday.

The charges against Gutierrez include attempted robbery and grand larceny, as well as an allegation of carrying a firearm by a manager. He is scheduled to be sentenced on Nov. 1 at 1:30 p.m. in Department 50 of the Clara Shortridge Foltz Criminal Justice Center. His sentence will be determined by a Los Angeles Superior Court judge.

“Today marks an important step toward justice for Johnny Wactor’s family and friends,” U.S. Attorney Gascón said in a statement. “Our hearts go out to all who knew and loved him, and we recognize the profound pain his loss has caused. With one of the four defendants having pleaded guilty, we are determined to pursue the others with the same unwavering dedication. Our office will continue to work diligently to ensure that justice is fully served and that Mr. Wactor’s loved ones can find some measure of reconciliation during this difficult time.”

Gutierrez is one of four men charged in the crime. Robert Barceleau, 18, of Huntington Park, and Sergio Estrada, of Los Angeles County, were each charged with one count of murder. In addition to Barceleau’s murder charge, he was charged with voluntary manslaughter during a robbery, which could carry a possible life sentence without parole.

Barceleau was also charged with attempted armed robbery and armed robbery, and is being held without bail. Estrada was charged with the same counts of armed robbery and armed robbery.

Frank Olano, 22, was charged with one count of accessory after the fact to murder, one count of receiving stolen property and three counts of possession of a firearm.

Wactor was shot dead after leaving a bar shift in May.

In a statement, Wactor’s agent David Shaul told TheWrap, “Johnny Wactor was a spectacular human being. Not only a talented actor who was dedicated to his craft, but a true moral example to all who knew him. He represented hard work, tenacity and a never-give-up attitude. Through the ups and downs of a tough profession, he always held his head high and continued to strive to do his best.”

“The time we spent with Johnny was a privilege we would wish on anyone,” Shaul added. “He would literally give you the shirt off his back. After over a decade together, he will leave a void in our hearts forever.”

Wactor’s mother told TMZ that he was shot in downtown Los Angeles during an attempted robbery. Wactor and a friend saw three men attempt to remove the catalytic converter from his car, his mother told the outlet.

Although the actor did not attempt to stop the men, she said, they shot him as they left the scene.

Anita Joy, a friend and colleague of the “General Hospital” actor, shared the story of his murder a few days later on Instagram.

“My friend of eight years went from laughing together, working side by side, giving up our bartending duties and walking to our cars, to dying in my arms on the streets of DTLA in the dark hours of 3am,” she wrote.

Recounting the incident that occurred early Saturday morning after their May 24 shift at Level 8, Joy said Wactor’s murder was because “a few criminals were trying to steal a car part and all they took was my friend’s life.”

“It all happened in an instant,” she said, noting that Wactor approached the thieves who were after her car’s catalytic converter, initially thinking it was being towed. “I’ve come to describe it as a glass of water spilling and you’re scrambling to catch it and keep it from spilling completely, but the water just runs through your fingers and disappears.”

“Hands outstretched at his sides in a sign of peace. Johnny was between me and the man who shot him. When I heard the gunshot ring out in the night, he fell back into my arms and when I grabbed him, I yelled, ‘Honey, are you okay?!’ And he just said, ‘No! I’ve been shot!’” she continued. “We fell into the street where I pushed my legs under him and tried to hold his body up while screaming for help and yelling for him to stay with me.”