“General Hospital” actor Johnny Wactor was killed “without provocation” by car thieves, police said. Here is the status of the investigation.

Police are asking the public for help in identifying the men who shot actor Johnny Wactor.

Los Angeles police issued a new statement Tuesday confirming that Wactor was killed when he encountered thieves attempting to steal part of his car. Three suspects fled the scene. Wactor, who played Brando Corbin, General Hospital from 2020-2022, was 37.

Here you can find out how the investigation is progressing and what his relatives are saying.

🚨 Wactor finished his shift as a bartender before the altercation and was shot “without provocation.”

LAPD officers responded to a radio call at approximately 3:25 a.m. on May 25 reporting an “assault with a deadly weapon/shooting” in downtown Los Angeles. They found Wactor “suffering from an apparent gunshot wound. Officers began to assist the victim and requested emergency medical services.”

Wactor was pronounced dead at a local hospital.

According to witnesses, Wactor had finished his shift as a bartender at a local bar and was walking to his vehicle. When Wactor arrived at his vehicle, he was confronted by three individuals who had lifted Wactor’s vehicle with a jack and were in the process of stealing the catalytic converter,” the LAPD said in a statement. “Without provocation, (Wactor) was shot by one of the individuals.”

📈 Car thefts have increased sharply in LA

A catalytic converter is part of a car’s exhaust system and plays an important role in controlling emissions.

Converters are a popular target among thieves. Earlier this month, the LAPD reported an increase in car thefts in two Los Angeles neighborhoods, and the number of vehicle thefts in the city has increased every year since 2019.

🗣 What his family and former colleagues say

Wactor’s mother, Scarlett Wactor, told Fox News Digital: “They took a great human being.” She said her son and a co-worker stayed late to clean up at the rooftop bar where they worked.

“They went to their car and when they got there, Johnny’s car, which was parked in front of the coworker’s, looked like it had been jacked up on one side and from what I understand, he said, ‘Hey man, are you towing my car?'” she said. “And the person looked up and he was wearing a mask and I guess he knew they weren’t and so he got in front of the coworker and backed away and put his hands up or both and the person shot him.”

A statement published on General HospitalOn his Instagram account, he expressed his condolences to Wactor’s family and said they were “heartbroken” by his death. “He was truly one of a kind and it was a pleasure to work with him every day,” he said.

Wactor’s ex-fiancée Tessa Farrell reacted to the news in an emotional video posted on social media.

“It’s so sad that he had to be taken from us like that because he was so big on doing the right thing and earning things, that’s what he taught me,” she said. “I will always love him.”

➡️ The three men were not found

“The three suspects involved were wearing all dark clothing and were driving a dark colored sedan. The suspects fled north on Hope Street,” the LAPD said. The Central Bureau Homicide is investigating the case and is asking anyone with information to contact police at (213) 996-4142.