Beloved TV star shot dead in suspected robbery attempt

Police in riot gear clashed with pro-Palestinian protesters on a college campus in California. Protesters set up a new encampment at UCLA after increased tension between students and school administrators. Police on Thursday pushed back a group of demonstrators who had set up tents and marched through campus chanting “from the river to the sea, Palestine will be free.” Before uniformed police arrived, UCLA officials warned the group to disperse or face legal and disciplinary action.

The actor was shot dead early Saturday morning (local time) in downtown Los Angeles during an alleged robbery gone wrong.

His mother, Scarlett, told TMZ she understood Wactor was with a co-worker when he came across three men “playing” with his car around 3 a.m.

“Scarlett says she was told Johnny didn't try to fight or stop them…but the men still shot him before taking off,” the outlet reported.

Paramedics reportedly arrived on scene shortly after the incident and transported Wactor to hospital.

However, he was later pronounced dead.

“Although authorities have not released his name, it matches the description of an incident in which three suspects allegedly attempted to steal a catalytic converter,” TMZ reported.

A law enforcement source told the Los Angeles Times on Sunday that the three men were trying to steal the emissions device, which can be worth hundreds of dollars, from Wactor's car.

Wactor's former colleagues and co-stars have begun posting tributes to the actor, whose career highlights include a two-year stint on the TV show General Hospital as Brando Corbin.

He has also appeared in shows like Westworld, Criminal Minds and Siberia.

Actor and writer Jon Lindstrom wrote of X Wactor that he was “one of those rare young men in this business who was kind, unpretentious, humble and always thinking of others.”

“A talented young man who just wanted to share that talent with the world. I wish I had enough love to fill the void his loved ones must be feeling right now, but I know it's impossible. We will miss Johnny on this plane. For a long time to come. RIP,” Lindström said.

“Johnny Wactor was a very beautiful soul. So talented,” said former General Hospital co-star Parry Shen.

“Absolutely heartbroken writing this,” actor Ashton Arbab wrote on X.

“Johnny Wactor was not only my TV dad for over 25 episodes of General Hospital, but he was a great human, a kind soul, an inspiration and a one-of-a-kind actor. May your soul rest in peace.”