'General Hospital' actor Johnny Wactor of SC killed during catalytic converter heist: What to know

Johnny Wactor, known best for his role as Brando in "General Hospital" between 2020 and 2022, was fatally shot in downtown Los Angeles on Saturday morning, May 25. He was 37.

The actor was killed during an attempted catalytic theft, according to local TV station KTLA. Johnny's younger brother Grant confirmed his death to KTLA. The news of Wactor's death was first reported by TMZ.

The actor made his first television debut in Army Wives in 2007. He was also known for his work on several short films: "The Grass Is Never Greener" (2010), "GoldenBox" (2011), "Anything for You, Abby" (2019), and "We Won't Forget" (2021). His most notable feature film appearance was in 2016's "USS Indianapolis: Man of Courage," where he starred alongside Nicholas Cage, Tom Sizemore, and Thomas Jane, according to a USA story.

Wactor is remembered and mourned by family and friends, fans, and those who worked with him throughout his career. David Shaul, Wactor's talent agent, told Variety the following statement regarding the actor:

"Standing for hard work, tenacity and a never give up attitude. In the highs and lows of a challenging profession he always kept his chin up and kept striving for the best he could be," Shaul said in a statement. "Our time with Johnny was a privilege we would wish on everyone. He would literally give you the shirt off his back. After over a decade together, he will leave a hole in our hearts forever."

Details of crime and homicide

Around 3:25 a.m. Saturday morning, officers responded to Hope Avenue and Pico Boulevard, according to the Los Angeles Police Department. Police found a man suffering from a gunshot wound upon arriving at the scene.

The LAPD said the man saw three men stealing the catalytic converter from his vehicle. When he approached to confront them, they turned around and opened fire. The man had been leaving work at a local rooftop bar when the incident occurred, the actor's mother Scarlett told ABC 7.

Wactor had approached the men thinking his car was being towed and intended on asking them a question. Scarlett said when the masked suspect looked up, he shot her son.

According to ABC 7, Wactor was brought by paramedics to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Authorities are planning an autopsy, and the actor's family will bring him to South Carolina for funeral services, Scarlett told Fox News Digital.

The three crime suspects are still at large, according to police.

Where in SC was Wactor from?

Wactor was born in Charleston and raised in Summerville, S.C.

Catalytic converter thefts are 'surging' in the US

A 2023 report by the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) shows a surge in catalytic converter thefts across the nation. In 2022, the country experienced 64,000 catalytic converter thefts. California and Texas are currently in the lead for catalytic converter crimes. Each state had more than 32,000 thefts in 2022.

“This new data is just a snapshot of an underreported crime that affects communities across the nation,” said David J. Glawe, President and CEO of NICB.  “While a catalytic converter can be removed in just a few minutes, for vehicle owners, the cost is much more than the replacement parts. Victims must find alternate transportation, schedule necessary repairs, and may face loss of work as a result.”

Why do people steal catalytic converters?

Catalytic converters have been mandated in the U.S. since 1975 and are used to neutralize harmful gases in engine exhaust that contribute to air pollution and smog. They are located in the underside of cars and trucks as part of their exhaust system and contain rare earth metals that are more valuable than gold such as palladium, platinum, and rhodium. Metal recyclers usually pay between $50 to $250 for a catalytic converter and up to $800 removed from a hybrid vehicle. It can cost anywhere from $1,000 to $3,500 to replace the part, according to the NICB.

Wactor's mother, ex-fiancée mourn actor's death

Scarlett had the following to say about her son, USA TODAY reported:

"What I'd like for everybody to know is that they took a great human being. It is leaving a very large hole in me and his brother's lives," Scarlett said. "We just buried my husband, their dad, four years ago. And he was very loved by his friends, his families. He lived life to the fullest, he chased his dreams, a very optimistic, positive person."

Scarlett concluded with this statement, "I hope they catch them, and I hope there’s justice for Johnny. That’s all I can hope and pray for. I will see him again. But down here on earth, it’s going to be a very, very long road without him for me and his brothers."

Wactor's ex-fiancée, Tessa Farrell, who met the actor in 2013, also shared the following on Instagram:

"He was really loved, and he loved all of you so much," Farrell said in the video, wiping away tears as she spoke. "He loved everyone so much. He was so selfless. He will forever be a huge part of my journey as a human being."

Farrell's emotional statement can be viewed in the video below.

Nina Tran covers trending topics. Reach her via email at ntran@gannett.com