Johnny Wactor's co-worker Anita Joy says she felt 'safe with him' after actor died while shielding her from robbers' gunfire

Anita Joy recalled Johnny Wactor as a loving and compassionate human and asked the authorities to take action on his tragic loss
UPDATED MAY 30, 2024
Johnny Wactor and Anita Joy were friends for over 8 years (Getty Images, @anitajoyxo/Instagram)
Johnny Wactor and Anita Joy were friends for over 8 years (Getty Images, @anitajoyxo/Instagram)

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Anita Joy is sharing the last moments of ‘General Hospital’ star Johnny Wactor.

The 37-year-old was fatally shot in an alleged robbery just outside Level 8 night club, where he was working.

Actor Johnny Wactor arrives for the Warner Bros. Pictures World Premiere Of
Johnny Wactor was shot dead during an attempted robbery on May 25 (Getty Images)

Co-worker Anita Joy breaks silence on Johnny Wactor's death

Wactor was trying to shield his co-worker Joy as the robbers reportedly tried to steal a catalytic converter.

“I’ve needed to take some time to collect myself and my thoughts. I was with Johnny in his last moments and I’m here to be his voice after such unimaginable events,” she captioned her Wednesday, May 29, post. 

She continued, “His story is in this post as it happened, please swipe through the top photos and read it. Early Saturday morning (May 25) after our bartending shift Friday night at Level 8 in DTLA.”

Joy went on to describe how special her friend Wactor was, “Johnny had this incredible ability that was truly just his genuine nature - to make anyone and everyone feel so special in his eyes. No matter how well you knew him, he treated everyone like he truly cared about you," per ET.

Johnny Wactor Instagram
Johnny Wactor was heading back to his parked car when the robbers allegedly shot him (@johnnywactor/Instagram)

“He lit up any room - you couldn’t not smile around him. His energy was magnetic and pulled you in so effortlessly - you were safe with him,” she added.

“He treated everyone with love, respect, compassion and he really 'saw' you. He was beautiful, goofy as hell, full of work ethic and values, he never put people down, even when joking, he never made you feel unsure of yourself - he knew how to be hilarious in such a positive way and it just made him that much more lovable. It just filled your heart to be around him. He called me 'Anita Bonita,'” Joy's post read.


 
 
 
 
 
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A post shared by Anita Joy (@anitajoyxo)


 

Anita Joy urges local bar to take action on Johnny Wactor's death

Joy urged for immediate action from their employer, “These criminals need to be caught - Level 8 needs to provide parking for their late hour staff as they originally promised."

"This cannot be something that isn’t responded to with action, it needs to be addressed in a manner to prevent anything like this ever happening again to the best of their ability,” she added.

She also appealed for financial support to Wactor’s family during these difficult times, and shared a GoFundMe link, “If you can contribute to his family, please do - they are on the other side of the country and it’s going to be a lot on them emotionally and financially to get Johnny home to them."

As per Los Angeles County Coroner, Wactor died by homicide, with a gunshot wound to his chest.

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