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Thieves had Johnny Wactor’s car jacked up before shooting, police say – NBC Los Angeles

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What you should know

  • “General Hospital” actor Johnny Wactor was shot and killed in downtown Los Angeles on Saturday when he encountered a group of catalytic converter thieves, the LAPD reported.
  • Wactor, who was returning to his car after a shift as a bartender, was shot without provocation, police said.
  • The actor appeared in nearly 200 episodes of “General Hospital” from 2020 to 2022.

Three men were attempting to steal a catalytic converter from actor Johnny Wactor’s car as he placed the vehicle on a jack when the “General Hospital” star met them in downtown Los Angeles, police said Tuesday.

Wactor, 37, was shot by one of the robbers without provocation, according to a statement released Tuesday by the Los Angeles Police Department that provided new details about the shooting early Saturday morning.

Wactor had just finished his shift as a bartender at a nearby bar and was walking to his car when he encountered the thieves shortly before 3:30 a.m., witnesses told police.

“As Wactor approached his vehicle, he was confronted by three individuals who had lifted Wactor’s vehicle with a jack and were attempting to steal the catalytic converter,” police said in a statement. “Without provocation, the victim was shot by one of the individuals.”

Car catalytic converters contain precious metals that thieves want to resell.

The three people wore dark clothing and left the scene of the shooting in the 1200 block of Hope Street in a dark sedan. More detailed descriptions of the attackers and the getaway vehicle were not immediately available.

Wactor died in hospital.

No arrests have been reported in connection with the murder, which has left Wactor’s friends, family and colleagues in mourning.

Wactor appeared in nearly 200 episodes of General Hospital from 2020 to 2022. Other credits include Westworld, The OA, NCIS, Station 19, Criminal Minds and Hollywood Girl.

“The entire General Hospital family is deeply saddened to hear of the untimely passing of Johnny Wactor. He was truly one of a kind and a joy to work with every day. Our thoughts and prayers are with his loved ones during this difficult time,” the ABC daytime series posted on X on Sunday.

Anyone with information on the attackers is asked to call LAPD dispatch at 213-486-6606. Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous can call Crime Stoppers at 800-222-8477 or visit Crime Stoppers.

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