LOS ANGELES, CA - On Saturday, May 25th, actor Johnny Wactor, 37, was fatally shot during an attempted catalytic converter theft in downtown Los Angeles, leaving his loved ones in disbelief.
According to KTLA, the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) said that the victim, identified as Wactor, saw three men stealing the catalytic converter from his vehicle and when he attempted to confront them, they turned around and shot him point blank in the middle of the night. Officers responded to the area of Pico Boulevard and Hope street, and upon arrival they found the victim suffering from a gunshot wound.
Wactor was transported to the hospital where he was pronounced dead and as of this writing, the three suspects have not been found. Wactor's mother, Scarlett Wactor spoke with NBC News and said that her son had been bartending at a rooftop venue nearby and was helping with a "deep clean" after last call. He and three of his co-workers left and walked to his car down the street.
She said that two of the co-workers broke off in a different direction to get to their cars, leaving her son and the other co-worker. When the two of them came upon his car, which had been jacked up, he assumed that it was being towed because he had parked on the street in an unfamiliar place, knowing that he would be working extra late.
The mother said that her son stepped in front of his co-worker to ask one of the men on the ground next to his vehicle whether he was being towed and in that moment, he was struck by gunfire. The two other suspects were allegedly in another vehicle waiting.
Wactor started his acting career by landing a part on Lifetime's "West Wives" and eventually found a home on "General Hospital" where he ended up appearing in 164 episodes. He portrayed the son of Bonnie Borroughs' Gladys Corbin, Brando. According to ABC7, the television soap opera issued a statement saying, "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."
Wactor appeared in a variety of films and television series, including, "Station 19," "NCIS," "Westworld," and the video game "Call of Duty: Vanguard." Wactor's mother said that her son wanted to act ever since he was in elementary school and after moving to Hollywood, he still kept in touch with his theater instructor.
She said that he honed his acting skills by taking or auditing acting classes when he could. The mother said that his acting work might help her cope with her loss, adding, "I think that when I see Johnny on the videos and the recordings, I can only hope that he's doing that in heaven and enjoying it." On social media, others shared their memories of Wactor.
Wactor's manager, Marco Cuadros with Immortal Artists, said, "Johnny Wactor was such a kind soul, a talented actor, and an inspiration to those around him. His professionalism, his enthusiasm, and love for his craft was infectious and made him such a joy to work with. He pursued his dreams and achieved them, all the while remaining a good human being caring for others. I am proud to say I was Johnny's manager and friend. He will always be cherished in my memory. My deepest condolences to his family and loved ones."
Sofia Mattsson, who played Wactor's wife on "General Hospital," wrote, "My heart is so utterly broken ... Johnny was the absolute best. So genuine. So caring. Incredibly hard working and humble. With a huge heart that spread so much kindness and joy. He always made sure everyone around him felt seen, heard, and loved. I admire the man he was so much and I'm a better person for having known him. We shared so many special moments, both on and off screen, and I will forever cherish them deeply in my heart. You will be so incredibly missed Johnny ... I'm sure you're already busy taking care of everyone up there."
Catalytic converter thieves target the parts for their valuable industrial metals, including platinum, palladium, and rhodium. All three metals have seen wild price increases just prior to and during the COVID-19 pandemic. According to the National Insurance Crime Bureau, catalytic thefts nationwide peaked in 2022. States like California and Rhode Island have implemented legislation in an attempt to make it difficult to buy and sell stolen catalytic converters and the metals that accompany it.
According to KTLA, the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) said that the victim, identified as Wactor, saw three men stealing the catalytic converter from his vehicle and when he attempted to confront them, they turned around and shot him point blank in the middle of the night. Officers responded to the area of Pico Boulevard and Hope street, and upon arrival they found the victim suffering from a gunshot wound.
Wactor was transported to the hospital where he was pronounced dead and as of this writing, the three suspects have not been found. Wactor's mother, Scarlett Wactor spoke with NBC News and said that her son had been bartending at a rooftop venue nearby and was helping with a "deep clean" after last call. He and three of his co-workers left and walked to his car down the street.
She said that two of the co-workers broke off in a different direction to get to their cars, leaving her son and the other co-worker. When the two of them came upon his car, which had been jacked up, he assumed that it was being towed because he had parked on the street in an unfamiliar place, knowing that he would be working extra late.
The mother said that her son stepped in front of his co-worker to ask one of the men on the ground next to his vehicle whether he was being towed and in that moment, he was struck by gunfire. The two other suspects were allegedly in another vehicle waiting.
Wactor started his acting career by landing a part on Lifetime's "West Wives" and eventually found a home on "General Hospital" where he ended up appearing in 164 episodes. He portrayed the son of Bonnie Borroughs' Gladys Corbin, Brando. According to ABC7, the television soap opera issued a statement saying, "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."
Wactor appeared in a variety of films and television series, including, "Station 19," "NCIS," "Westworld," and the video game "Call of Duty: Vanguard." Wactor's mother said that her son wanted to act ever since he was in elementary school and after moving to Hollywood, he still kept in touch with his theater instructor.
She said that he honed his acting skills by taking or auditing acting classes when he could. The mother said that his acting work might help her cope with her loss, adding, "I think that when I see Johnny on the videos and the recordings, I can only hope that he's doing that in heaven and enjoying it." On social media, others shared their memories of Wactor.
Wactor's manager, Marco Cuadros with Immortal Artists, said, "Johnny Wactor was such a kind soul, a talented actor, and an inspiration to those around him. His professionalism, his enthusiasm, and love for his craft was infectious and made him such a joy to work with. He pursued his dreams and achieved them, all the while remaining a good human being caring for others. I am proud to say I was Johnny's manager and friend. He will always be cherished in my memory. My deepest condolences to his family and loved ones."
Sofia Mattsson, who played Wactor's wife on "General Hospital," wrote, "My heart is so utterly broken ... Johnny was the absolute best. So genuine. So caring. Incredibly hard working and humble. With a huge heart that spread so much kindness and joy. He always made sure everyone around him felt seen, heard, and loved. I admire the man he was so much and I'm a better person for having known him. We shared so many special moments, both on and off screen, and I will forever cherish them deeply in my heart. You will be so incredibly missed Johnny ... I'm sure you're already busy taking care of everyone up there."
Catalytic converter thieves target the parts for their valuable industrial metals, including platinum, palladium, and rhodium. All three metals have seen wild price increases just prior to and during the COVID-19 pandemic. According to the National Insurance Crime Bureau, catalytic thefts nationwide peaked in 2022. States like California and Rhode Island have implemented legislation in an attempt to make it difficult to buy and sell stolen catalytic converters and the metals that accompany it.
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Comments
2024-05-29T06:56-0400 | Comment by: DS
If YOU LIVE in that FILTHY state... You are taking your LIFE into your hands
2024-05-29T09:43-0400 | Comment by: Tom
Johnny is not acting in heaven right now, for he is sleeping in the grave awaiting judgment day and one of two resurrections. The Saved will be caught up to meet Jesus in the air when He returns in a few years, where they will be taken to heaven for 1000 years. The Lost will be raised from the grave for judgment and sentencing to be burned up in the lake of fire after the 1000 years. See Rev. 20.. No one is in heaven right now.
2024-05-30T19:12-0400 | Comment by: Chris
A really bad headline. It should have been more like, "Three men found dead in gutter because they believed a catalytic converter was worth their life".