Actor Johnny Wactor was protecting his co-worker when he was shot

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Actor Johnny Wactor had just finished his bartending shift and was walking an unidentified co-worker to her car when robbers apparently shot and killed him as they attempted to steal a catalytic converter from his car.

the Public Hospital The actor's brother, Grant, said daily Mail Wactor initially thought his car was being towed, but when he realized what was really happening, he protected his co-worker by putting her behind him.

“We are Southerners, born and raised, and we would never allow a female to go to their car by herself,” Grant Wactor told the media. “He ran into them and thought his truck was being towed. So he said something to the guys, like, 'Hey, are you towing?'

“Then as soon as he turned around, he saw what was happening and put his co-worker behind him. That's when they shot him.”

Wactor's mother, Scarlett Wactor, confirmed this account to CNN affiliate KABC. She said her son would sometimes work as a waiter between acting gigs.

The fatal shooting happened around 3:25 a.m. Saturday near Pico Boulevard and Hope Street. The three thieves fled the scene and were not arrested until Monday morning.

Wactor played the character Brando Corbin Public Hospital From 2020 to 2022. His other credits include Western World, Criminal Minds, Siberia And Station 19.