The investigation into the shooting death of “General Hospital” actor Johnny Walker in downtown Los Angeles is focusing on gang members linked to catalytic converter theft, law enforcement sources familiar with the investigation told The Times.
After reviewing the video and interviewing witnesses, LAPD homicide detectives focused on the distinctive facial tattoos of the gunman, who authorities say was one of three men who carjacked Walker on Hope Street near Pico Avenue car in order to steal its catalytic converter before shooting.
Investigators released grainy images of the suspects and their stolen getaway vehicles in hopes of obtaining further evidence to identify the men, according to law enforcement sources not authorized to discuss the investigation.
Wactor had just finished a late-night bartending job at the nearby Level 8 bar when he and co-worker Anita Joy walked to his car and stopped the thieves.
Joy said Wockett first thought his car had been towed. After realizing that was not the case, he asked the men to leave and opened his hands to show he was not a threat. Despite this, she said, he was shot at close range around 3:20 a.m. A security guard at the bar said he spotted Joey with the fatally injured Walker and called 911.
After the shooting, the suspect fled north along Hope Street in a stolen getaway vehicle, described as a 2018 black four-door Infiniti Q50 with tan interior, police said.
The man who shot Walkerto had a tattoo above his left eye and another on his right cheek, according to detectives.
On Sunday, police released grainy security images of the three suspects and the getaway car driving down the street.
Police attempted to extract fingerprints from Wockett’s car and link the crime to a nearby catalytic converter theft.
Thieves target catalytic converters because they contain precious metals, including rhodium, palladium and platinum. They can be sold for hundreds of dollars to auto parts suppliers or scrap yards, where they can be melted down and the valuable metal extracted.
Catalytic converter thefts have surged in California during the COVID-19 pandemic. That prompted new state laws that make it illegal for recyclers to purchase parts from anyone other than the legal owner of a vehicle or an authorized dealer. Penalties will be increased for buyers who fail to prove that the catalytic converter has not been stolen.
Anyone with information about the shooting is asked to call Central Bureau homicide detectives at (213) 996-4143 or (213) 996-4173.
