What you need to know
“General Hospital” actor Johnny Wachter was shot and killed in Downtown Los Angeles on May 25 after being confronted by a catalytic converter thief, according to the Los Angeles Police Department. Police say Wachter was shot unprovoked as he was returning to his car after a bartending shift. “A Walk for Johnny” at North Hollywood Park was organized to remember the actor, who appeared in nearly 200 episodes of “General Hospital” from 2020 to 2022.
Friends, family and fans of Johnny Wactor gathered Saturday for a walk in memory of the beloved 37-year-old actor at a San Fernando Valley park where he often went for runs.
“A Mile for Johnny” was released a month after the former “General Hospital” actor was shot and killed in downtown Los Angeles by a thief who stole a catalytic converter from his car. Wachter and a friend from work were walking to their car after work when they encountered the thief, who had jacked up Wachter’s car.
A friend of Wachter’s said he was standing in front of her when one of the men opened fire in what police said was a sudden shooting around 3:30 a.m. on May 25. Wachter died at a hospital, leaving family and friends grieving and searching for a cause.
No arrests have been reported in his killing.
An event in his honor was planned for 11 a.m. at North Hollywood Park near Magnolia Boulevard and Tujunga Avenue.
Car catalytic converters contain precious metals that thieves hope to resell. Wachter’s friend, who was with him that night, said he approached the men because he thought his car was being towed.
“Johnny, as always, remained calm and simply told me it was his car and to leave,” Joy said. “He had his arms outstretched. He was between me and the man who shot him. When we heard the gunshot ring out into the night air, he tumbled forcefully back into my arms. I grabbed him, yelling, ‘Are you OK?’ But all he said was, ‘No! I’ve been shot!'”
“It all happened in an instant. I have taken to describing it as being like a glass of water that has been turned upside down and you are desperately trying to hold on to it, but the water just keeps running through your fingertips and disappearing.”
Joy said a security guard from her workplace ran across the road towards them and was on the phone to emergency personnel, who desperately tried to stop the bleeding using a denim jacket and performed CPR.
The coroner’s report said he died from a gunshot wound to the chest.
Anita Joy, who was with the “General Hospital” actor when he was shot by a catalytic converter thief, describes the events leading up to his death, reports NBC Los Angeles’ Camila Rambaldi.
The three men were wearing black clothing and left the scene in a black sedan after the shooting in the 1200 block of Hope St. Further information about the assailants and the getaway vehicle was not immediately available.
Wachter appeared in about 200 episodes of “General Hospital” from 2020 to 2022. Her other credits include “Westworld,” “The OA,” “NCIS,” “Station 19,” “Criminal Minds” and “Hollywood Girls.”
“The entire General Hospital team is heartbroken to learn of Johnny Wactor’s untimely passing. He was truly one of a kind and a joy to work with every day. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his loved ones during this difficult time,” the ABC daytime drama posted on its X Channel on Sunday.
Anyone with information about the attackers is asked to call the Los Angeles Police Department’s Central Station at 213-486-6606. Tipsters wishing to remain anonymous can call Crime Stoppers at 800-222-8477 or visit Crime Stoppers.