Police detained multiple people in South Los Angeles Thursday possibly connected to the death of former “General Hospital” actor Johnny Wactor, who was shot after encountering three people trying to steal the catalytic converter from his parked car downtown.
Police declined to immediately comment on the case or reports of the arrests of people allegedly tied to Wactor’s killing. TMZ reported that fingerprints found at the crime scene helped lead to the suspects.
KNX News reported late Thursday morning that four people had been taken into custody in connection with the Wactor case. TV news footage showed police conducting an operation in South Los Angeles Thursday morning, with neighbors telling reporters that officers distributed informational flyers in the neighborhood about the Wactor investigation several days ago in hopes of generating tips.
One neighbor told KTLA5 the people at the home where arrests were made Thursday have long been problematic for the neighborhood, even stealing catalytic converters from vehicles parked on that street.
Wactor, 37, was shot around 3:30 a.m. May 25 while walking with a co-worker toward his parked car near Hope Street and Pico Boulevard after finishing his bartending shift at the nearby Level 8 bar/restaurant.
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.
The suspects had Wactor’s vehicle raised up with a floor jack and were in the process of stealing the catalytic converter, police said, adding that Wactor was shot by one of the individuals without provocation.
On Tuesday, relatives and friends of Wactor gathered at Los Angeles City Hall to call for anyone with information about his death to come forward.
“Grief is my constant companion,” Wactor’s mother, Scarlett, said on the steps of City Hall. “He promised me he’d be here with me today. I can’t wish him happy birthday on August 31st. He would have been 38. I can’t ask if he’s coming home for Christmas. I can’t ask how his day went, if he’s gonna climb. I don’t get any of those things anymore because of what these people did.”
Last week, the Los Angeles Police Department released surveillance photos of the suspects believed to have killed Wactor, along with images of an allegedly stolen vehicle the suspects are believed to have escaped in.
Police said the three suspects drove away from the scene in a stolen 2018 black, four-door Infiniti Q50 with tan-colored interior. The suspects, all wearing dark clothing, drove away from the scene northbound on Hope Street. One of the suspects had a tattoo above the left eye and on the right cheek, police said.
Paramedics rushed Wactor to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Catalytic converters are popular targets for thieves because they are rich in precious metals that can be resold.
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.”
Anyone with information about the suspects was urged to call the LAPD’s Central Station at 213-486-6606. During business hours, LAPD homicide detectives can be reached at 213-996-4143 or 213-996-4173.
Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous can call Crime Stoppers at 800-222-8477 or visit lacrimestoppers.org.