"General Hospital" actor Johnny Wactor murdered during a robbery in Los Angeles.

Actor Johnny Wactor, recognized for his role in "General Hospital," was shot dead during a robbery in downtown Los Angeles.

According to the Los Angeles Police Department report, Wactor, 37, of South Carolina, suffered gunshot wounds that caused his death when he confronted three men who were trying to steal the catalytic converter from his vehicle that was stolen. was parked on a street.

Wactor was known to be walking down the street with a female companion early Saturday morning, around 3 a.m., after finishing his shift as a bartender at a downtown location, his brother, Grant Wactor, told the Los Angeles Times.

As he approached his car, he noticed three men handling it. Thinking that they were towing him and not suspecting the danger, the actor approached to find out what was happening, at which point one of them shot him.

Wactor's mother, Scarlett, said the attacker escaped with the other two accomplices, describing her son's death as a "senseless" act.

The thieves were looking to steal the catalytic converter from Wactor's vehicle.

Catalytic converters, located mostly in the lower rear of vehicles, are valuable targets for criminals due to the high resale value to auto parts suppliers or the mining of precious metals such as rhodium, palladium and platinum.

Thefts of these devices have increased in California since the beginning of the pandemic, according to local media reports.

The unfortunate incident took place at the intersection of West Pico Boulevard and South Hope Street in downtown Los Angeles and has shocked the Hollywood community and "General Hospital" fans.

Johnny Wactor was much loved for his performance and had gained numerous fans for his talent and charisma on screen. Investigations are ongoing and Los Angeles police are searching for the three suspects involved in the crime.