On Tuesday, the family and friends of slain “General Hospital” actor Johnny Wactor demanded L.A. Mayor Karen Bass and other city officials do something about crime in the city.
The group, Justice for Johnny, gathered outside city hall for a news conference. Micah Parker, a longtime friend of Wactor’s, told KNX News’ Jon Baird that it’s time city leaders took action to make L.A. a crime-free city.
“The pendulum has swung too far with this soft-on-crime social experiment, and it's not working,” he said.
Wactor’s mother, Scarlett, traveled to L.A. from Summerville, South Carolina. She said grief is her constant companion.
“He promised me he'd be here with me today,” she said. “I can't wish him happy birthday on August 31st. He would have been 38. I can't ask if he's coming home for Christmas. I can't ask how his day went. I don't get any of those things anymore because of what these people did.”
She also questioned what rights victims have.
“Murder is wrong. Theft is wrong,” she said. “It doesn't matter your color, your financial background. Right, left, middle. Even the criminals don't want to be murdered and have their stuff stolen. I mean, think about it. You have got to stand up. If you don't, it's never going to change. Johnny's death will have been in vain.”
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Wactor was fatally shot in May while walking to his car with his co-worker after a shift at a bar in downtown L.A. Scarlett revealed to KNX News’ Craig Fiegener that when her son interviewed for the job, he was told parking would be provided.
“That was never provided,” she said. “There was a girl that was jumped...they didn't do anything about it then, and so she quit, and then months later, Johnny was murdered. I doubt they've done anything since then.”
Police believe the suspects who shot Wactor were trying to steal his catalytic converter. While there have been no arrests, the Los Angeles Police Department released surveillance photos of the people they believe to be suspects. The department also released photos of the car they say the suspects drove off in.
Anyone with any information regarding the shooting was asked to call LAPD's Central Station at 213-486-6606. Those wishing to remain anonymous can call Crime Stoppers at 800- 222-8477 or go to lacrimestoppers.org.
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