Security images of the suspects involved in the May 25 shooting death of ‘General Hospital’ actor Johnny Wactor have been released by the Los Angeles police. Wactor, 37, was fatally shot after confronting three men who were attempting to steal his car’s catalytic converter. The incident occurred on Hope Street near Pico Boulevard in downtown Los Angeles around 3:20 a.m.
According to authorities, Wactor had just finished his bartending shift at the nearby Level 8 bar when he noticed his car being raised on jacks. Believing it was being towed, he approached the men, accompanied by his co-worker Anita Joy. However, realizing that his car was being targeted for theft, Wactor asked the men to leave, indicating he posed no threat with his hands held out open at his sides. Despite his non-confrontational approach, he was shot at close range.
The Los Angeles police have released security images of the three suspects involved in the incident, as well as the getaway vehicle, a stolen 2018 black Infiniti Q50 with a tan interior. The shooter is described as having a tattoo above his left eye and on his right cheek, as per a Community Alert Notification shared on Twitter.
Following the shooting, the suspects fled northbound on Hope Street. Law enforcement authorities are urging the public to come forward with any information that may help solve the crime. Central Bureau detectives Howarth and Bobadilla can be reached at (213) 996-4143 and (213) 996-4173, respectively.
Catalytic converter thefts have seen a significant rise in California during the COVID-19 pandemic due to the valuable metals they contain. Precious metals like rhodium, palladium, and platinum found in these car parts can be sold for hundreds of dollars to auto parts suppliers or scrap yards. In response to the surge in thefts, new state laws have been enacted, making it illegal for recyclers to purchase catalytic converters from anyone other than the vehicle’s legal owner or a licensed dealer. Penalties have also been increased for buyers who fail to certify that the catalytic converter was not stolen.
Johnny Wactor, known for his role as Brando Corbin on ‘General Hospital’ from 2020 to 2022, had also appeared in popular shows such as ‘Westworld,’ ‘Criminal Minds,’ and ‘Station 19.’ His untimely death has shocked the entertainment industry and left his colleagues and fans mourning the loss of a talented actor.
