General Hospital’s Johnny Wactor’s final moments revealed by friend who watched in horror as actor was shot dead

JOHNNY Wactor’s friend and colleague has opened up about witnessing his death.

The General Hospital actor was shot on Saturday, and died at the age of 37.

On Instagram, Johnny’s friend Anita shared a post of photos of the television star, alongside a recounting of the terrifying shooting.

Johnny and Anita worked together at the bar Sinners y Santos in downtown Los Angeles, and Anita recalled that they’d been leaving work early in the morning when the attack happened.

“My friend of 8 years went from working side by side, leaving our bartending shift and walking to our cars to him dying in my arms in the streets of DTLA in the dark hours of 3am. There are plenty of articles out now with the basic details of this horrific story which comes down to a few criminals trying to steal a car part and all they took was my friend’s life.

“Everything happened in an instant, I’ve come to describe it as a glass of water that gets tipped over and you’re scrambling to grab it but it just runs through your fingertips and is gone,” Anita wrote on her phone’s Notes app.

“We cautiously approached the men, questioning what they were doing, at first thinking the car was being towed. We were no threat and Johnny kept his cool as he always did, simply stating that it was his car and for them to leave. Hands open to his sides in peace.

“Johnny was between me and the man who shot him – as I heard the shot ring into the night, he forcefully tumbled back into my arms and as I grabbed for him, I shouted ‘Hunny you ok?!’ And he only responded, ‘Nope! Shot!'”

The co-worker of film star Johnny described, “We toppled onto the street where I pushed my legs under him and tried to hold his body up while screaming for help and screaming at him to stay with me.

“One of our security guards from work was crossing the street shortly after and ran to us with 911 on the phone – we tied my denim jacket around him to stop the bleeding and Bryan proceeded to try CPR on him.

“I’m so thankful for Bryan showing up, trying with all his might to save Johnny. It was too close range, too extreme of a wound for him to survive it but my god, he fought to stay.”

Anita concluded, “I am utterly heartbroken and so 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 awful men brought to justice.”

Alongside the recounting within her post, Anita also added an emotional caption about her late friend, and encouraged her followers to donate to a fund for Johnny’s family.

“My heart is shattered with his loss but I believe l have gained the best guardian Angel out there,” read part of her social media tribute.

‘KINDNESS AND JOY’

Anita isn’t the only person close to Johnny who has spoken up about their loss.

Johnny’s brother, Grant, shared, “We’re Southern, born and raised, and we would never let a female walk to their car by herself.

Wactor’s Career

The actor from Charleston, South Carolina, starred in General Hospital between 2020 and 2022.

His first appearance on the show was on January 30, 2020, as Brando Corbin, but he was written out two years later after his character was stabbed by an unknown killer.

However, before playing Corbin, Wactor started his acting career in 2007 by starring in Army Wives.

He also featured in NCIS, Criminal Minds, Station 19, The OA, and West World.

In 2016, he landed a movie role in USS Indianapolis: Men Of Courage, starring Nicolas Cage.

Wactor is set to feature in a new movie by Luca Perito called American Sognare, which is currently in post-production, according to IMDb.

“My brother was probably the hardest-working person I’ve ever met in my life. He was a great brother and son.”

Johnny, who played Brando Corbin on General Hospital, also received words of support from his old co-stars.

Sofia Mattsson, who played Brando’s wife, wrote in part, “Johnny was the absolute best. So genuine. So caring. Incredibly hard-working and humble.

“With a huge heart that spread so much kindness and joy. He always made sure everyone around him felt seen, heard and loved.”

On X, formerly known as Twitter, the show itself also shared some words about Johnny’s tragic death.

“The entire General Hospital family is heartbroken to hear of Johnny Wactor’s untimely passing. He was truly one of a kind and a pleasure to work with each and every day.

“Our thoughts and prayers go out to his loved ones during this difficult time.”