Days after “General Hospital” star Johnny Wactor was shot and killedhis colleague who held him in his final moments has shared harrowing new details about the series of events that led to his death.
“I needed to take the time to collect myself and collect my thoughts. I was with Johnny in his final moments and I am here to be his voice after such unimaginable events,” Anita Joy wrote in a statement. . Instagram post Wednesday.
“He was senselessly killed by a coward who reacted without caring about the wonderful life he led,” she wrote in her message. “I’m angry, I’m sad, and I feel all the feelings at once, but most of all, I’m here for Johnny’s justice.”
After working as a bartender at Level 8 in downtown Los Angeles, Joy said she and Wactor were walking to their car in the early hours of May 25 before noticing “a few criminals trying to steal a car part.” .
GENERAL HOSPITAL ACTOR KILLER JOHNNY WACTOR AT WIDE, LAPD SHARES NEW DETAILS ON THREE SUSPECTS
Johnny Wactor and Anita Joy were friends for eight years before his death. (Getty | Anita JoyInstagram)
“We cautiously approached the men, wondering what they were doing, initially thinking the car was being towed,” she wrote. “We posed no threat and Johnny kept his cool as he always did, simply stating that it was his car and that they had to leave. With his hands open at his side in peace.”
“Johnny was between me and the man who shot him,” she continued. “As I heard the gunshot ring out through the night, he fell forcefully back into my arms. As I grabbed him, I shouted ‘Honey, are you okay?!’ And he only replied: “No, shot!” We fell into the street where I pushed my legs under him and tried to hold his body up while screaming for help and yelling at him to stay with it. Me.”
The bar security guard was crossing the street at the time and rushed over, calling 911.
Johnny Wactor was shot and killed on May 25. (Michael Tullberg/Getty Images)
“We tied my denim jacket around him to stop the bleeding and Bryan (the security guard) tried to give him CPR.”
“It was too close an injury, too extreme an injury for him to survive, but my goodness he fought to stay,” she wrote. “I am heartbroken and very angry. My only peace is that I was with him and this didn’t happen to him alone – my only other peace will be seeing these horrible men brought to justice.”
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“His energy was magnetic and pulled you in effortlessly – you were safe with him,” she wrote in her caption. “He treated everyone with love, respect, compassion and he really ‘saw’ you. He was handsome, goofy as hell, full of work ethic and values.”
“He called me ‘Anita Bonita’ and I hope that the timbre of his voice saying that every time I saw him will never leave my memory,” she added. “One look in his big blue eyes, followed by a big goofy smile, Johnny made you love him instantly. Absolutely one of the best men I’ve ever known.”
Wactor’s colleague described him as a “beautiful and awkward” soul. (Craig Sjodin/ABC via Getty Images)
“I am so grateful to have been a part of his world and he was a part of mine. My heart is broken by his loss but I believe I have gained the best guardian angel ever. I love you Johnny Wacky,” said concluded Joy.
Wednesday, Wactor’s official cause of death was revealed by the coroner’s office.
The Los Angeles County medical examiner concluded that the manner of death was a “homicide” and that the direct cause was a “gunshot wound to the chest.”
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In a press release obtained by Fox News Digital on Tuesday, the LAPD said Wactor was “confronted by three individuals” in the early hours of May 25. Wactor had just finished his shift as a bartender and noticed that these individuals had his car jacked up and were stealing the catalytic converter. Wactor was shot and killed by one of the individuals.
According to the release, “Los Angeles Police Department Central Area officers responded to a radio call of an assault with a fatal shooting in the 1200 block of Hope Street. When they arrived, they discovered the victim, identified as 37 years old. -Elderly John William Wactor, apparently wounded by a gunshot, began to render aid to the victim and requested the intervention of emergency medical services.
Wactor played Brando Corbin on “General Hospital” for 164 episodes from 2020 to 2022. (Scott Kirkland/ABC via Getty Images)
He was later pronounced dead at a local hospital.
Police are urging anyone with information to call the LAPD or LA Regional Crime Stoppers.
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According to the press release, the three suspects involved, who fled the scene, were wearing all dark clothing and driving a dark colored sedan.
Elizabeth Stanton of Fox News Digital contributed to this report.
