According to police reports, the beloved 37-year-old actor, Johnny Wactor, met his untimely demise on May 25th in a tragic confrontation with four alleged thieves who were targeting his car's catalytic converter. In a heartbreaking turn of events, one of the four perpetrators implicated in this heinous crime has been granted bail, having pleaded guilty to charges of attempted robbery and grand theft.
Multiple sources, including CBS News, KTLA 5, and Fox 11, confirmed Thursday evening that Leonel Gutierrez, an 18-year-old, walked free after paying a $120,000 bail and acknowledging his guilt in the two aforementioned charges. Gutierrez stands accused as one of the four individuals who, on that fateful night, were attempting to strip Wactor's car of its valuable converter when the actor, unbeknownst to them, stumbled upon the scene.
The Los Angeles Police Department issued a statement last month detailing the harrowing incident, alleging that Gutierrez, alongside Robert Barceleau, 18, Sergio Estrada, 18, and Frank Olano, 22, were engaged in the illicit act when Wactor, who was walking back to his vehicle after finishing his bartending shift around 3:25 a.m., confronted them. Tragically, this encounter ended in Wactor's untimely death by a gunshot to the chest.
Wactor's brother, Grant, shared with PEOPLE the heroic last moments of his sibling's life, revealing that Johnny had raised his hands peacefully and positioned himself in front of a female colleague to shield her from harm. "He didn't confront or try to stop them," Grant emphasized. "He was simply trying to de-escalate the situation by stepping back."
Barceleau and Estrada face murder charges in addition to attempted robbery, while Olano has been accused of being an accessory, receiving stolen property, and illegally possessing firearms on three separate counts. All three defendants have entered not guilty pleas in response to these allegations.
Earlier this year, Wactor's agent, David Shaul, fondly remembered his client as a "spectacular human being" who "always remained resilient and aspired to be the best version of himself." He added, "Spending time with Johnny was a privilege we would all cherish. He was the kind of person who would selflessly offer you his last shirt. His passing leaves an indelible mark on our hearts that will forever ache."
Wactor, best recognized for portraying Brando Corbin in 'General Hospital,' left behind a rich legacy in television and film, with notable appearances in 'Army Wives,' 'NCIS,' 'The OA,' 'Westworld,' 'The Passenger,' 'Station 19,' 'Barbee Rehab,' 'Siberia,' 'Agent X,' 'Vantastic,' 'Animal Kingdom,' 'Hollywood Girl,' 'Training Day,' and 'Criminal Minds,' among others.
