'General Hospital' star Johnny Wactor shot dead while saving female coworker during theft attempt in final brave act

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: 'General Hospital' actor Johnny Wactor rescued his female coworker from dying when armed car thieves fatally shot and killed him on Saturday, May 25, in Los Angeles, as they were attempting to steal his catalytic converter.

Wactor's talent representative David Shaul confirmed his death in a statement to Variety: "Johnny Wactor was a spectacular human being. Not just a talented actor who was committed to his craft but a real moral example to everyone who knew him."

"Standing for hard work, tenacity and a never give up attitude. He would literally give you the shirt off his back. After over a decade together, he will leave a hole in our hearts forever," Shaul added.

Johnny Wactor was rescuing female coworker from armed car thieves when fatally shot

Around 3:25 a.m. on Saturday, Wactor, 37—who starred in 164 episodes of the serial opera from 2020 to 2022—observed the three guys close to his car.

Wactor was leaving his side job at a rooftop bar with a female coworker in the vicinity of West Pico Boulevard and South Hope Street.

Thinking he was being towed, Wactor tried to talk to the men about it. Then one of the men raised his gun and aimed it at the actor, who shifted his body to shield his female coworker while he was being shot, per Daily Mail.

The three men then drove off in another car, per the police, all of whom were wearing masks. Shortly after arriving on the scene, paramedics rushed Wactor to a nearby hospital, where they pronounced him dead.

Wactor's younger brother Grant verified that Johnny was shot in the chest when he encountered the suspects attempting to take the catalytic converter.

Grant added that, per authorities, his actor brother was backing away and attempting to protect his companion when the gun was fired, not that Johnny tried to fight the car robbers.

According to Grant, after their shift ended, Wactor and his colleague had to walk the two blocks to their car because they had to park near the restaurant.

Johnny Wactor brought up as 'southern gentlemen'

Grant confirmed to Daily Mail that his brother had passed away and that he wasn't shocked to learn that his brother was prioritizing others at the time.

Grant claimed that his brother's final deed was a brave one and that they were brought up as "southern gentlemen."

He declared, "We're Southern, born and raised, and we would never let a female walk to their car by herself."

"He came across them and he thought his truck was being towed. So he said something to the guys, like, 'Hey, are you towing?'" Grant claimed.

He added: "And then once he turned around, he saw what was happening and he put his coworker behind him. And that's when they shot him."

He gave a somber farewell to his brother and mentioned that having a side gig was just who he was. "My brother was probably the hardest working person I've ever met in my life. He was a great brother and son," Grant remarked.

"Anyone he touched, he made a great impact. He was as charismatic in real life as he was on camera. And he was always genuine, through and through."

According to Wactor's grandmother Barbara, he frequently took on part-time work as a bartender. Neither Grant nor she knew which bar Wactor was working that evening.

The suspects have not yet been named or detailed; as of Sunday, May 26, LAPD officials stated that the investigation was still ongoing but that they did not have any new information.