LOS ANGELES — Prosecutors confirmed on Monday they will not pursue the death penalty against Robert Isaiah Barceleau, accused in the shooting death of former “General Hospital” actor Johnny Wactor. Wactor was fatally shot last year while confronting a group attempting to steal the catalytic converter from his car in downtown Los Angeles.
Barceleau, now 19, faces serious charges including murder and attempted robbery connected to the incident that occurred on May 25, 2024. If convicted, he could spend the rest of his life in prison without the possibility of parole. He is also charged with grand theft for allegedly stealing a catalytic converter from another vehicle shortly before Wactor was killed.
The charges against Barceleau include a special circumstance allegation of committing murder during a robbery, as well as claims that he discharged a firearm, inflicting fatal injuries on Wactor. A co-defendant, Sergio Estrada, who is also 19, faces similar charges but without the special circumstances and allegations of firearm use.
Both Barceleau and Estrada have pleaded not guilty and are scheduled to return to court for a pretrial hearing on January 14. During earlier hearings, LAPD Detective Justin Howarth testified that Barceleau confided to an undercover informant about shooting Wactor, asserting that he fired because Wactor was allegedly threatening his accomplice. Estrada later described Barceleau as “hot-headed” and voiced his reluctance to accompany him that night.
The men are implicated in a larger scheme to benefit a criminal street gang, with both facing additional allegations related to firearm use during the robbery. Eyewitness accounts indicate that Wactor was targeted shortly after finishing his shift at a local bar, aiming to address suspected thieves next to his parked car.
A forensic investigation linked Barceleau, Estrada, and another accomplice to fingerprints found on a jack left at the crime scene, a critical piece of evidence for prosecutors. Barceleau and Estrada were photographed just hours after the shooting, suggesting their involvement in the crime.
Wactor’s tragic death has resonated throughout the community, leading friends and family to honor his memory with events such as blood drives. The actor, who appeared in nearly 200 episodes of “General Hospital” from 2020 to 2022, also had credits in other popular series including “Westworld” and “NCIS.” His final film is set to premiere soon, adding a poignant chapter to his legacy.
Recent sentences for other individuals linked to the incident serve as a reminder of the case’s gravity. Two men received prison terms for lesser charges, underscoring the broader implications of the crime and the community’s search for justice. As the legal proceedings continue, attention remains focused on the ongoing impact of Wactor’s death and the societal issues surrounding crime and violence.