Family of former 'General Hospital' actor Johnny Wactor march in DTLA in call for justice
LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- Nearly three weeks after "General Hospital" actor Johnny Wactor was shot and killed in downtown Los Angeles, his family and close friends spoke out Wednesday, calling for more action from city leaders.
Wactor's family and close friends held a news conference before leading the "Justice for Johnny Wactor" march.
They urged for city leaders - including Mayor Karen Bass - "to lend full support and resources to the Los Angeles Police Department in this homicide investigation, beginning with issuing a minimum $25,000 reward for any information leading to the arrest of the individuals responsible for Wactor's death,'' organizers said.
His brother, Grant Wactor, flew to Los Angeles from South Carolina to speak.
"Back home, we're all hurting obviously,'' he told the crowd. "We're doing everything we can to try to stay busy to try to keep this in the forefront, so thank you all for being here and helping us keep this out there so we can continue to press this issue. The main thing is just, it was a senseless act of violence. It was something that none of us expected. He was 37 years old. He would be 38 in August, and it hurts."
Johnny Wactor was fatally shot last month as he was leaving his bartending shift.
LAPD investigators said three men were trying to steal his catalytic converter when Wactor approached them.
Three suspects fled in a vehicle and Wactor died at a local hospital shortly after.
"His life was cruelly taken from us in an act of unnecessary violence," said Councilman Kevin de León, who said he's been in contact with Johnny's mother Scarlett. "Johnny's instinct to protect his co-worker to put himself in harm's way speaks volumes about the kind of man he was: brave, selfless and caring. We condemn this brutal and selfless act of violence in the strongest terms."
"This crime sends a chilling message," he continued. "We do not know who these individuals could have harmed, or who they may harm in the future, if they're not brought to justice. Taking someone's life for a piece of metal."
Also in attendance was Wactor's close friend and fellow actor Micah Parker, who sent a strong message to city leaders.
"It's difficult to be here ... at the same time, it's the place to be because this city and the city's leaders need to understand what soft-on-crime policies leads to - It leads us right here," he said. "Johnny deserves justice."
Bryan Barkley, the security guard who was working in the area the night of the shooting, also spoke out, highlighting the need for safer streets for bar employees.
"You guys probably don't notice because the sun's out but it's the only street that doesn't have lights on it," he said. "It's a problem. It could've been any one of us."
Wactor portrayed Brando Corbin on "General Hospital" from 2020 to 2022. He also appeared in a variety of films and TV series, including "Station 19," "NCIS," "Westworld" and the video game "Call of Duty: Vanguard."
The Los Angeles County district attorney's office said investigators have some leads in the case but the office declined to elaborate.
Anyone with information on his case is urged to call the LAPD's Central Station at 213-486-6606. You can also submit an anonymous tip by calling Crime Stoppers at 800-222-8477 or visiting lacrimestoppers.org.
City News Service, Inc. contributed to this report.
