LAPD releases images of suspects, vehicle in killing of 'General Hospital' actor Johnny Wactor

DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- The Los Angeles Police Department on Sunday released photos of the suspects and vehicle connected to the killing of "General Hospital" actor Johnny Wactor in downtown Los Angeles.

Wactor, 37, was fatally shot early in the morning on May 25 while walking with a coworker toward his parked car near Hope Street and Pico Boulevard after finishing a bartending shift.

Police said the pair encountered a crew of people trying steal the catalytic converter from Wactor's car, and one of them shot Wactor as he approached.

Wactor was leaving work downtown when he encountered three men at his car. He thought he was being towed.

No arrests have been made since then.

The LAPD released images in an attempt to get the public's help to identify the suspects involved. The newly released images show a stolen black 2018 Infiniti Q50 sedan, which the suspects fled the scene in.

"I'm hoping the community is sick enough that somebody will step up and help," the actor's mother, Scarlett Wactor, told Eyewitness News.

Friends and family are surprised it took 10 weeks for the LAPD to release the images and they wonder if that means the investigation has stalled.

"Surprised mainly because I had the impression that the investigation was going extremely well to the point that perhaps there was going to be an imminent arrest," said Micah Parker, Wactor's friend.

Since then, little has been known about the three suspects. The suspect who police say shot Wactor in the chest is described as having a tattoo above the left eye and on the right cheek.

Paramedics rushed Wactor to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

"I still cry every morning in my devotions," Wactor's mother said. "I have his picture in front of me, like I talk to God, tell him what I want. Those days are still here. I'm still doing that."

Catalytic converters are popular targets for thieves because they are rich in precious metals that can be resold.

"Going through that together, I'm grateful that I was there for him and he was not alone," said Anita Joy. "That's been the only peaceful thing for his mom and I when we walk."

Wactor appeared on nearly 200 episodes of "General Hospital" from 2020-22. His other credits included "Westworld," "The OA," "NCIS," "Station 19," "Criminal Minds" and "Hollywood Girl."

Anybody with information is urged to contact detectives at (213) 996-4143 and (213) 996-4173.

City News Service contributed to this report.