Image Of Actor Johnny Wactor's Killers Released

LOS ANGELES, CA — More than a month after "General Hospital" actor Johnny Wactor was killed by catalytic converter thieves, the Los Angeles Police Department released surveillance photos of the suspected killers.

They remain at large and police have been unable to identify the men in the photos. The May 25 shooting rattled the community and led to an outcry against the perceived lawlessness plaguing Downtown Los Angeles.

Wactor, 37, was shot around 3:30 a.m. on 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. He had stumbled upon the thieves who raised up his vehicle with a floor jack to get at the catalytic converter, police said.

"Without provocation, the victim was shot by one of the individuals," the LAPD announced in a written statement. "The three suspects involved were wearing all dark clothing and driving a dark-colored sedan. The suspects fled northbound on Hope St."

Wactor's brother, Grant Wactor, told the Los Angeles Times that his brother was walking a co-worker to her car after his shift when he noticed a group of men crowded around his own car, and he confronted them because he thought his vehicle was being towed.

In addition to the grainy images of three suspects, police on Monday released images of the allegedly stolen vehicle the suspects are believed to have used in their escape.

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."

His death prompted a candlelight vigil and calls for justice. Not long after he was killed, a woman in Los Angeles County reported encountering catalytic converter thieves who pointed a gun at her.

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.

City News Service contributed to this report.