Johnny Wactor’s family and ex-fiancée speak out after “General Hospital” actor's death: 'You shot the wrong guy'

Wactor, 37, was shot and killed during an alleged attempted robbery.

As the General Hospital family mourns the loss of Johnny Wactor, so do his loved ones.

Days after the actor — who played Brando Corbin on the daytime soap — was shot and killed in an alleged robbery gone wrong, his ex-fiancée Tessa Farrell posted an emotional Instagram video, addressing crime in Los Angeles and speaking directly to the shooter.

"If you, the person who did this, if you’re watching, I’m sorry, but you shot the wrong guy,” Farrell said through tears in the May 27 video. “You know, you can get a real job, like, I know the job market’s hard, but we’re all in it together. You don’t have to steal, you know? Especially take a life over it. Human life is disregarded too [easily] guys, we gotta make some changes as a community.”

She went on to tell her followers: “We gotta support each other and come together. Maybe that’s what Johnny’s gift is for us, maybe he’s gifting that to all of us because he was full of gifts.”

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Farrell also directly addressed Wactor, adding, “Johnny, if you’re watching from above, I love you very much and I’m very proud of you for the person you’ve become and the obstacles you’ve overcame. And you’ve forever inspired me in my work and what I do and I wouldn’t be here without what you’ve taught me. So, thank you, Johnny. I love you. I miss you. I hope those last moments were OK for you and I’m glad someone was with you.”

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Wactor was shot on May 25 in Los Angeles after confronting three men who were allegedly attempting to steal the catalytic converter from his car, PEOPLE confirmed. One of the men opened fire without warning, and the three suspects sped off in a vehicle. Paramedics took Wactor to a hospital where he was pronounced dead.

During an interview with NBC News correspondent Morgan Chesky, Wactor’s mother and brothers opened up about their own grief in the wake of his loss, and shared new details about the actor’s final moments — including the presence of a co-worker, who Wactor stepped in to protect.

"Johnny thought that he was being towed," said his mother, Scarlett Wactor. "He said, 'Hey man, you're towing my car.' And when the person looked up, they had on a mask. And Johnny stepped in front of the co-worker, and he was shot."

Reflecting on her reaction to the news that her son died protecting another’s life, Scarlett said, “I use the word hero. I’m thankful that person is okay — and that when he died, he wasn’t alone.”

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No arrests have been made, and the LAPD is continuing to search for the three men.

"I think they are cowards," Scarlett said of the suspects, adding, "As a parent, you never expect to bury a child."

She also told the outlet that in the wake of her son’s death, she has been revisiting his General Hospital scenes.

Wactor, a Charleston native, began his acting career in 2007 with minor TV roles in shows such as Army Wives and NCIS. In 2020, he landed the recurring role of Brando Corbin on General Hospital, and appeared in 164 episodes through 2022.

“I think that when I see Johnny on the videos and the recordings, I can only hope that he’s doing that in heaven and enjoying it,” said his mother.

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