The Los Angeles Police Department is seeking public assistance in identifying suspects involved in the murder of Johnny Wactor, an actor known for his work on General Hospital.

The actor was killed on May 24 while confronting three individuals attempting to steal a catalytic converter from his car, and authorities are hoping for help in solving the heinous crime, as the Daily Mail reports.

Incident Occurred During Early Morning Hours

Wactor, known for portraying Brando Corbin on General Hospital, was tragically murdered earlier this year. The incident took place near Pico Boulevard and Hope Street in Los Angeles at approximately 3:25 a.m. Wactor was shot in the chest after confronting three individuals who were in the process of stealing a catalytic converter from his vehicle.

Following his shift at a nearby bar, Wactor was escorting a coworker to her car when he noticed the theft in progress. One of the suspects, identified by the LAPD as "Suspect One," shot Wactor in the chest during the confrontation. The suspects quickly fled the scene in a stolen 2018 black Infiniti Q50, which featured a tan interior.

The LAPD released still images of the suspects and their vehicle on Sunday, over three months after the incident. The suspects remain unidentified, and the police are actively seeking public assistance to help solve the case. According to the LAPD, Suspect One can be recognized by tattoos above his left eye and on his right cheek.

Rising Vehicle-Related Crime

The murder of Wactor is part of a worrying trend of increased violent crime in Los Angeles, including thefts of vital car parts like catalytic converters. Catalytic converter thefts have surged in recent years, driven by the valuable metals they contain.

The police have not yet made any arrests in connection with Wactor's murder. Given the rise in car part thefts, the LAPD has been particularly proactive in asking the public for any information that could lead to the suspects’ identification and arrest.

The call for justice has resonated with Wactor's friends and family. Speaking out publicly, they have urged for more stringent crime policies and have highlighted the human toll of such violent acts.

Public Calls for Justice

Micah Parker, a friend of Wactor, emphasized the broader implications of increasing crime rates. "It's the place to be because the city and the city's leaders need to understand what soft-on-crime policies lead to," Parker said.

He added, "It leads us to right here. It's important to us that this story remains top of mind for his family, for his friends because we loved him, and he deserves justice."

Teresa Farrell, another friend, poignantly addressed potential viewers, including the suspects. "If the person who did this, if you're watching, I'm sorry, but you shot the wrong guy. You can get a real job. I know the job market's hard but we're all in it together. You don't have to steal - especially take a life over it," she said.

She further lamented, "Human life is disregarded too easy."

Both Wactor’s mother, Scarlett Wactor, and his brother, Grant Wactor, confirmed the details of the fatal encounter. Scarlett Wactor underscored that her son did not attempt to fight or stop the offenders. Grant also provided a statement detailing the tragic sequence of events leading to Wactor’s murder.

Limited Surveillance and Ongoing Investigation

The LAPD has detailed that the available surveillance footage is limited, which adds complexity to the ongoing investigation. Despite this challenge, they continue to prioritize finding the individuals responsible for the crime.

"The Los Angeles Police Department is seeking the public's assistance in identifying the three suspects involved," reads a part of the LAPD Community Alert on the issue.

Conclusion

In summary, the LAPD is actively seeking public help to identify the suspects involved in the fatal shooting of Johnny Wactor, who was murdered while interrupting a theft.

Those close to Wactor continue to call for justice and advocate for tougher crime policies. The suspects remain at large, and the police have yet to make any arrests in connection with the case, which remains under thorough investigation.

Friends and family urge that Wactor’s story remain in public awareness to ensure justice is served.