Johnny Wactor followed his Southern roots by protecting a female coworker when he was shot and killed early Sunday morning.
Wactor had just completed his bartending shift and was escorting an unidentified female colleague to her car when he was tragically killed by thieves apparently trying to steal the catalytic converter from his vehicle.
The General Hospital actor’s brother, Grant, told the Daily Mail that Wactor initially believed his vehicle was being towed. However, when he realized the true situation, he protected his co-worker by placing her behind him.
“We’re Southern, born and raised, and we would never let a female walk to their car by herself,” Grant Wactor explained to the outlet. “He came across them and he thought his truck was being towed. So he said something to the guys, like, ‘Hey, are you towing?’
He continued, “then once he turned around, he saw what was happening and he put his coworker behind him. And that’s when they shot him.”
Grant confirmed that Johnny was shot in the chest while encountering suspects trying to steal the catalytic converter. He added that police informed him Johnny did not confront the car thieves but was retreating and trying to protect his friend when shot.
The fatal shooting took place around 3:25 a.m. on Saturday near the intersection of Pico Boulevard and Hope Street. The three suspects fled the scene and, as of Monday morning, remain at large.
Johnny Wactor portrayed Brando Corbin on General Hospital from 2020 to 2022. His other notable credits include Westworld, Criminal Minds, Siberia, and Station 19.
Johnny Wactor’s Brother Said He Was the Working Hard Was Part of His Character
Grant mentioned that Johnny and his colleague had parked roughly two blocks from the restaurant and were heading to their cars after their shift. This area, South Park in Downtown LA, is close to several trendy hotels and multimillion-dollar high-rises.
He honored his brother, noting that taking on a side job was part of his character.
“My brother was probably the hardest-working person I’ve ever met in my life.” Grant said. “[Johnny] was a great brother and son,'”Grant added.
He continued, “Anyone he touched, he made a great impact. He was as charismatic in real life as he was on camera. And he was always genuine, through and through.”
Of course, Grant wants to see those responsible for his brother’s death behind bars.
“I hope they are able to track the people who did this,” he said. “I am glad in a way that this is getting the publicity so that it could shed some light that things need to change, or find ways so that no one else has to experience this – whether it be a murder or being at the wrong place at the wrong time.”
LAPD officials stated that while the investigation is ongoing, no further information is currently available.