New Details Emerge In Shooting Death Of 'General Hospital' Actor

LOS ANGELES, CA — Police released new details Tuesday about the final moments of "General Hospital" actor Johnny Wactor, who was killed when he came upon three men trying to steal the catalytic converter from his car parked in Downtown Los Angeles Saturday.

Wactor, formerly a regular on "General Hospital" was leaving work at a rooftop bat at about 3:25 a.m. Saturday when he encountered the thieves, according to the Los Angeles Police Department. His mother told In Touch that he was with a coworker when it happened.

"Based on witness statements, Wactor had ended his shift as a bartender at a local bar and walked to his vehicle. When Wactor arrived at his vehicle, he was confronted by three individuals who had Wactor’s vehicle raised up with a floor jack and were in the process of stealing the catalytic converter," the LAPD announced in a written statement. "Without provocation, the victim was shot by one of the individuals. The three suspects involved were wearing all dark clothing and driving a dark-colored sedan. The suspects fled northbound on Hope St."

Paramedics rushed Wactor to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead., according to police.

Wactor's brother, Grant Wactor, told the Los Angeles Times on Sunday that his brother was walking a co-worker to her car after his shift when he noticed a group of men crowded around his own car, and he confronted them because he thought his vehicle was being towed.

Central Bureau Homicide is investigating this case and is requesting the public’s help.

The 37-year-old actor appeared on nearly 200 episodes of "General Hospital" from 2020-22. His other credits included "Westworld," "The OA," "NCIS," "Station 19," "Criminal Minds" and "Hollywood Girl."

His colleagues shared their grief at the news of his passing.

"The entire General Hospital family is heartbroken to hear of Johnny Wactor's untimely passing. He was truly one of a kind and a pleasure to work with each and every day. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his loved ones during this difficult time," the ABC soap opera posted Sunday on X.

"When the tears slow down, I am literally sick to my stomach at this news," longtime cast member Jon Lindstrom wrote. "Johnny was one of those rare young men in this business who was kind, unassuming, humble, and always thought about other people. A talented young guy who just wanted to share that talent with the world. I wish I had enough love to fill the hole that his loved ones must feel right now, but I know that's impossible. Johnny will be missed on this plane. For a long time to come. R.I.P."

Wactor's agent, David Shaul, told Variety that "Johnny Wactor was a spectacular human being. Not just a talented actor who was committed to his craft but a real moral example to everyone who knew him. Standing for hard work, tenacity and a never-give-up attitude. In the highs and lows of a challenging profession, he always kept his chin up and kept striving for the best he could be."

"Our time with Johnny was a privilege we would wish on everyone," he said. "He would literally give you the shirt off his back. After over a decade together, he will leave a hole in our hearts forever."

Wactor opened up about his experience on "General Hospital" after his character Brando Corbin was written out of the show in 2022, telling Soap Opera Digest: "I've never been on a show that had such a large fan base. It was all new to me and it was a blessing. It made it fun to go to work and then be excited about seeing people react to the storylines you were in. That they actually cared was really cool. I'm grateful for the fans, for fans of 'General Hospital' and Brando Corbin and of mine. They made my time on the show all the sweeter."

Catalytic converter theft is a major problem in Los Angeles. It's led to multiple shootings and police chases, and it's responsible for more than 20 percent of vehicle thefts in Los Angeles, according to the LAPD.

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Thieves often target parked cars in the middle of the night. Catalytic converters are relatively easy to steal because thieves can unbolt or cut them out in minutes. Thieves can steal several catalytic converters in a single night and sell them to metal recyclers, who prize them because they contain platinum, palladium and rhodium. Catalytic converters, the part of a vehicle's exhaust system that reduces pollution, can fetch thieves about $150 apiece.

The devices have also been stolen from city-owned vehicles, including 39 over Christmas weekend, costing taxpayers about $74,000 in 2021.

Anyone with information about the suspects was urged to call the LAPD's Central Station at 213-486-6606. Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous can call Crime Stoppers at 800-222-8477 or visit lacrimestoppers.org.

City News Service and Patch Staffer Paige Austin contributed to this report.