Former 'General Hospital' actor Johnny Wactor killed in Los Angeles while interrupting catalytic converter theft

LOS ANGELES (KABC)– Former “General Hospital” actor Johnny Wactor was fatally shot in downtown Los Angeles while interrupting a catalytic converter theft, his family confirmed Sunday.

The shooting happened around 3 a.m. Saturday in the area of ​​West Pico Boulevard and South Hope Street. LAPD investigators say three men were trying to steal a catalytic converter when the car's owner approached them.

Scarlett Wactor told ABC7 that her 37-year-old son was leaving his job at a downtown rooftop bar and walking with one of his co-workers when he saw what looked like someone working on his car .

He initially thought his car was being towed, she said, and he approached the person to ask if that was the case. But when the suspect looked up, he was wearing a mask and opened fire.

Three suspects fled in a vehicle, according to police. Paramedics took Wactor to a local hospital and he was pronounced dead there.

Wactor portrayed Brando Corbin on the ABC soap opera from 2020 to 2022, appearing in over 160 episodes before the character was written off.

Wactor has also appeared in a variety of films and television series, including “Station 19,” “NCIS,” “Westworld,” and the video game “Call of Duty: Vanguard.”

Among his other interests, Wactor's Instagram page details his fondness for outdoor sports and adventures, such as rock climbing and rodeo.