American soap star Johnny Wactor, best known for his work on the long-running General Hospital, has been shot dead during an attempted robbery.
Wactor, 37, was killed in Los Angeles on Saturday, about 3am local time, when he stumbled across a group of men breaking into his vehicle, according to TMZ.
The actor’s mother Scarlett said her son was with a co-worker when they “saw three men messing with Johnny’s car”.
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LA Police have confirmed an incident in downtown LA where three men allegedly tried to steal a catalytic converter from a vehicle.
Wactor reportedly did not try to stop the men from stealing the item, but was shot when he came across the scene.
Catalytic converters are targeted by thieves for their valuable precious and industrial metals.
Wactor — whose long list of acting credits includes Criminal Minds and NCIS — was taken to hospital, where he died.
The would-be-thieves have not been found, and authorities have not yet released any descriptions.
Scarlett Wactor told TMZ her son had been bartending at a nearby venue and was walking back to his car when he was shot.
She said he initially thought his vehicle was being towed because he had parked on the street.
Wactor’s other TV roles included Station 19, Westworld, The OA, Animal Kingdom and Army Wives.
His death has been confirmed by his agent, David Shaul, who called him “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,” Shaul told People.
“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.
“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.”
‘I can only hope’
Wactor’s mum said the entertainment industry was tough on her son and “I thought he was almost going to starve to death out there”.
But she is hopeful his career on screen might help her cope with his death.
“I think that when I see Johnny on the videos and the recordings, I can only hope that he’s doing that in heaven and enjoying it,” she said, reported NBC.
No arrests have been made.
Catalytic converter thieves target the pollution-thwarting parts for their valuable metals including platinum, palladium and rhodium.
Prices skyrocketed before and during the coronavirus pandemic, and legislation has been introduced to make it difficult to buy and sell stolen converters and the metals within.