‘General Hospital’ star Johnny Wactor dies in co-worker’s arms after shooting

A colleague of General Hospital Star Johnny Wactor is paying tribute to “one of the best men I ever knew” after he was killed in a robbery gone wrong and tragically died in his arms on May 25.

In a lengthy Instagram post published Wednesday, Anita Joy wrote that she was with Wactor, 37, during his final moments after he was fatally shot. She said she and the former soap star were leaving work together at the Level 8 dining and entertainment complex in downtown Los Angeles early Saturday morning when they encountered three men who were “trying to steal a car part” in Wactor’s vehicle.

“My friend of 8 years went from laughing together, working side by side, leaving our bartending shift and walking to our cars, to dying in my arms on the streets of DTLA in the dark hours of 3 a.m.,” a -she writes. “It all happened in an instant, I’ve come to describe it as a glass of water spilling and you’re scrambling to catch it and keep it from spilling completely, but it just leaks between your fingers and disappears.”

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In her post, Joy explained that she and Wactor spotted the robbers and “approached them with caution,” asked them what they were doing and asked them to leave before Wactor was shot.

“Johnny was between me and the man who shot him. When I heard the gunshot ring out in the night, he fell forcefully into my arms and as I grabbed him, I shouted, ‘Honey, are you okay?’ And he only replied: “No! Shot !’ “, she remembers. “We fell into the street where I pushed my legs under him and tried to hold his body up while screaming for help and screaming for him to stay with me.”

Joy said a Level 8 security guard named Bryan happened by the scene and called 911 before starting to help administer first aid. “We tied my denim jacket around him to stop the bleeding and Bryan tried CPR on him,” she added. “I’m so grateful that Bryan was there, trying with all his might to save Johnny. It was too close an injury, too extreme for him to survive, but God, he fought to stay.

She concluded: “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.

In the post’s caption, Joy remembered Wactor and his ability “to make everyone feel so special,” noting that “he lit up any room” and “treated everyone with love, respect and compassion,” no matter what. “One look in his big blue eyes, followed by a big goofy smile, Johnny made you love him instantly,” she wrote. “Absolutely one of the best men I have ever known. I am so grateful to have been a part of his world and he was a part of mine.

She continued: “My heart is broken by his loss, but I believe I have gained the best guardian angel there is. I love you Johnny Wacky.

Joy reiterated that not only do “these criminals need to be stopped,” but Level 8 also needs to “provide parking for its staff working late nights” to prevent this from happening again.

“If you can contribute to his family’s needs, please do so. They’re on the other side of the country and it’s going to take a lot of emotional and financial resources to bring Johnny home,” she said. she concluded. “His GoFund Me link is in my bio. ”