Robbery suspect of “General Hospital” actor Johnny Wactor pleads guilty

Leonel Gutierrez, one of four defendants in the attempted robbery and murder of “General Hospital” actor Johnny Wactor, pleaded guilty to all counts on Wednesday.

The charges against Gutierrez include attempted robbery and grand larceny, as well as charges of using a firearm. His sentencing is scheduled for 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 the family and friends of Johnny Wactor,” District Attorney Gascón said in a statement. “Our condolences go out to all who knew and loved him, and we recognize the profound pain his loss has caused. Now that one of the four defendants has pleaded guilty, we are committed to pursuing the remaining individuals with the same unwavering dedication. Our office will continue to work tirelessly to ensure that justice is fully served and that Mr. Wactor's loved ones can find some closure during this difficult time.”

Gutierrez is one of four men charged with the crime. 18-year-olds Robert Barceleau of Huntington Park and Sergio Estrada of Los Angeles County were both charged with murder. In addition to Barceleau's murder charge, he was charged with killing during the commission of a robbery due to special circumstances, which could result in him receiving a life sentence without parole.

Barceleau was also charged with attempted armed robbery and armed grand larceny and is being held without bail. Estrada was also charged with armed robbery and armed grand larceny.

Frank Olano, 22, was charged with aiding and abetting murder, receiving stolen goods and three counts of illegal possession of a firearm.

Wactor was shot in May after leaving his shift as a bartender.

In a statement, Wactor's agent David Shaul told TheWrap: “Johnny Wactor was a spectacular human being. Not only a talented actor dedicated to his craft, but also a true moral role model to all who knew him. He represented hard work, tenacity and a never-give-up attitude. Through the ups and downs of a demanding profession, he always kept his head up and continued to strive to be the best he could be.”

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

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

Although the actor made no attempt to stop the men, they shot him as they left the scene, she said.

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

“My friend of eight years, laughing together, working side by side, leaving our bartending shift and walking to our cars, and then he died in my arms in the middle of the dark at 3 a.m. on the streets of DTLA,” she wrote.

Joy described the incident early Saturday morning after her shift on Level 8 on May 24, saying Wactor's murder was due to “some criminals [were] They tried to steal a car part and only took my friend's life.”

“It all happened in an instant,” she said, noting that Wactor approached the thieves who were after his car's catalytic converter and initially thought he was being towed. “I now describe it as like a glass of water that gets knocked over and you're desperately trying to catch it so it doesn't spill all the way out, but it just runs through your fingertips and it's gone.”

“Hands were open at his sides in peace. Johnny was between me and the man who shot him – when I heard the shot in the night he rushed back into my arms with full force and when I grabbed him I screamed 'Honey are you OK?!' And he just replied 'Nope! Shot!'” her post continued. “We rushed to the street where I put my legs under him and tried to hold his body up while I screamed for help and yelled at him to stay with me.”