“General Hospital” actor Johnny Wactor died in coworker's arms after shielding her: 'My heart is shattered'

"My only peace is that I was with him and this didn’t happen to him alone," she wrote. "My only other peace will be seeing these awful men brought to justice.”

A coworker of General Hospital star Johnny Wactor is paying tribute to “one of the best men I’ve ever known” after he was killed in a robbery gone wrong and tragically died in her arms on May 25.

In a lengthy Instagram post published on 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 were leaving work together at 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" from 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 him dying in my arms in the streets of DTLA in the dark hours of 3 a.m.,” she wrote. “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 and save it from spilling out completely but it just runs through your fingertips and is gone.”

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<p>Albert L. Ortega/Getty</p> Johnny Wactor

Albert L. Ortega/Getty

Johnny Wactor

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

“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!’” She recalled. “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.”

Joy stated that a Level 8 security guard named Bryan happened to pass by the scene and called 911 before beginning to help her administer first aid. “We tied my denim jacket around him to stop the bleeding and Bryan proceeded to try CPR on him,” she added. “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.”

She 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.”

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

She continued, “My heart is shattered with his loss but I believe l have gained the best guardian Angel out there. I love you Johnny Wacky.”

Joy reaffirmed that not only do “these criminals need to be caught," but that Level 8 also “needs to provide parking for their late hour staff” to prevent this from happening ever again.

“If you can contribute to his family, please do — they are on the other side of the country and it’s going to be a lot on them emotionally and financially to get Johnny home to them,” she concluded. “His GoFund Me link is in my bio. “

Read the original article on Entertainment Weekly.