Plans are being made for Johnny Wactor’s funeral, his mother confirmed to Fox News Digital by phone.
His brother Grant initially posted an update on social media, and Scarlett Wachter said the family planned to hold a memorial service and funeral at Summerville Baptist Church in Summerville, South Carolina on June 15.
Scarlett said friends from Wachter’s theater company in Los Angeles are also planning a private memorial for Wachter that will be closed to press and fans, and that she would like to attend if possible.
She also confirmed that Anita Joy, a colleague whom he protected in his final moments, will be at the funeral, saying: “I’m very excited… I’m excited to see her and I’m excited to meet her.”
Johnny Wactor’s mother, Scarlett Wactor, confirmed to Fox News Digital that his funeral will take place in South Carolina on June 15. (Craig Sjodin/ABC via Getty Images)
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Joy shared her final moments on Instagram last Wednesday.
“Johnny was between me and the man who shot him,” she wrote. “As we heard the gunshot ring out into the night, he tumbled forcefully back into my arms. I grabbed him, yelling, ‘Are you OK?’ He simply replied, ‘No! I’m shot!’ We collapsed to the street and I got under his legs to support him while I screamed for help, for him to stay with me.”
“I am so grateful to have been a part of his world and for him to be a part of mine. Although my heart is broken by losing him, I believe I have the best guardian angel ever. I love you Johnny Wacky,” Joy concluded.
On Wednesday, the Los Angeles County coroner ruled the cause of death to be “homicide” and the immediate cause to be “a gunshot wound to the chest.”
Anita Joy, a colleague whom Wachter protected until his final moments, is expected to attend the funeral. (Getty/Anita Joy Instagram)
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According to a press release obtained by Fox News Digital, police are continuing to search for the suspect, who fled the scene wearing dark clothing and driving a black sedan, but Scarlett has not received any updates from the LAPD.
“I hope it’s a good thing because in my opinion, most of the time, kids have to follow the lead and do whatever it is, so why would they call their mom and say, ‘Yes, I have something,’ or if they have something, I know they’re not going to tell me, and I get that,” Scarlett said.
She added: “Hopefully they have something so maybe we’ll hear something soon.”
Wachter’s godfather, Michael Kinnard, has already set up a GoFundMe to help the family travel if necessary, and Scarlett said she is also setting up another GoFundMe to “fund any rewards we may offer if needed by detectives.” If the perpetrators are caught before a reward is offered, any money donated will be refunded.
Police are still searching for suspects in Wachter’s murder, and Wachter’s mother, Scarlett, said the family has set up a GoFundMe to raise money for a reward if needed. (Albert L. Ortega/Getty Images)
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As the family waits for news, Scarlett is focused on getting justice for her son.
“We need change. Johnny’s death shouldn’t be in vain. That whole town needs to change. Obviously I can’t vote or do anything, but I’m just going to keep lobbying like that and keep the pressure on that place until it changes. It’s sad, but I want it to be a safe place for other people who live there. I know we can’t stop everything, but nobody needs to die. I’d love to see some change come out of this.”
Scarlett said he has begun researching ways to work with local Los Angeles politicians, including City Councilman Kevin de Leon of Los Angeles’ 14th Ward, to lobby for reform.
De Leon is He released a statement on social media on Saturday. “I am deeply saddened by the tragic and senseless murder of Johnny Wactor,” he said.
Wachter’s mother has called on local politicians to seek justice for her son, saying “her death should not have been in vain.” (Michael Thalberg/Getty Images)
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“I have been in contact with Johnny’s mother to convey the heartfelt condolences of everyone in our city and to assure her that we are committed to achieving justice for Johnny. I am working closely with the Los Angeles Police Department’s Central Homicide Unit to ensure they have the resources and assistance necessary to conduct a thorough and swift investigation,” the statement continued.
“Our community has a right to feel safe and we will not rest until those responsible are held accountable. We urge anyone with information about this incident to come forward to assist with the investigation,” the statement concluded.
In particular, Scarlett hopes to see changes in providing parking and protections for workers in Downtown Los Angeles.
“If you have a bar over there and you’re open past 10 o’clock or midnight, you should have parking. You should have escort services. That’s ridiculous. They can do it. They’re a multi-million dollar business. They need to do it. And in my opinion, the city needs to let them do it. That would help,” she said.
Wachter’s mother wants businesses in downtown Los Angeles to change their policies regarding parking and employee protections. (Craig Sjodin/ABC via Getty Images)
‘General Hospital’ star Johnny Wactor’s coworkers claim safety concerns were denied before he was killed
Police confirmed that Wachter worked at the rooftop bar Level 8 and was on his way home from work with Joy in the early hours of May 25 when he encountered three men attempting to steal a catalytic converter from his vehicle.
Speaking to the Daily Mail, Joy said staff had been complaining for months about a lack of parking but their concerns were ignored.
“Everyone wants to go out and get drunk and have a good time and party, but the people who are servicing them are at risk when they get home because they leave after everyone’s already gone to bed. We need to be protected,” she told the media outlet. “Our employers need to care about us and get things going, not just say, ‘Oh, the security guard is going to go out with you guys.'” The security guard was then seen administering CPR to Johnny.
Level 8 released a statement Friday about Wachter’s death and the safety measures it will be implementing.
Level 8, the bar where Wachter was working at the time of his death, said it was planning new safety measures for the future. (Gilbert Carrasquillo/GC Images)
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“At Level 8, we take safety very seriously,” the post read. “Since opening, we have offered staff the option of having a security guard escort them to a nearby car park after hours, and in light of this tragic incident, we are speaking with our team and experts in the field to actively research additional safety measures for our staff.”
“We understand that a tragedy like this affects each person differently and deeply, and we are committed to providing a safe and supportive environment for everyone at Level 8.”
“Most of the security guards leave early for us who work at the club. Let us park at the hotel. The valet refuses to let us park even though we are willing to pay,” one user wrote in a since-deleted comment.
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Representatives for Level 8 partners, Mark and Johnny Houston of Houston Hospitality, did not respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment at the time.
Scarlett said she had not been contacted by the bar, and in a previous interview with Fox News Digital, she said her workplace did not have employee parking.
Fox News Digital’s Christina Dugan Ramirez contributed to this report.
