Johnny Wactor's family, friends call for justice as killers remain on the run
LOS ANGELES - The friends and family of slain "General Hospital" actor Johnny Wactor banded together Wednesday in downtown Los Angeles to call for justice and urge city officials to offer a reward for information leading to his killers - who remain on the run nearly three weeks after his death.
The 37-year-old was shot and killed in the early morning hours of May 25 as he was walking with his co-worker, later identified as Anita Joy, toward his car after ending his bartending shift at the Level 8 bar-restaurant.
That's when the two interrupted three alleged thieves. The suspects were in the process of stealing Wactor’s catalytic converter when "without provocation, the victim was shot by one of the individuals," police said.
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"There was no, ‘Back off or will shoot,’" Anita Joy told FOX 11's Laura Diaz. "Johnny, as a man and as someone walking with me and protecting me – he was right by my side."
The group marched to City Hall, demanding Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass assist with the investigation by offering a minimum $25,000 reward for information leading to the arrests of the suspects.
City Councilman Kevin de León spoke to the crowd at the shooting site. The council later adjourned its meeting in honor of Wactor.
"Back home we're all hurting obviously," Wactor's brother Grant told the crowd. "... The main thing is just, it was a senseless act of violence. It was something that none of us expected. He was 37 years old. He would be 38 in August. And it hurts."
"We want something to be done," he added. "Me and my family, we don't live here. But Johnny's friends -- Johnny has roots here. Johnny still has roots here and will continue to have roots here. So we want it to be a safer city for them. ... We want it sooner rather than later. We appreciate all the work that's being done to fine and capture all these people, but we hope that any resources that (are) available continue to be (used)."
Police have since released limited information on those three suspects, only that they were all wearing dark clothing and were last seen driving away in a dark-colored sedan northbound on Hope Street, where the fatal shooting occurred.
Wactor 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."
"Our time with Johnny was a privilege we would wish on everyone. He would literally give you the shirt off his back. After over a decade together, he will leave a hole in our hearts forever," his agent David Shaul said.
A fundraiser has been created to help support Wactor's family.
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 contributed to this report.