Plans have been made for Johnny Wactor's funeral, his mother confirmed to Fox News Digital by phone.
His brother, Grant, initially posted the update on social media, and Scarlett Wactor said the family will hold funeral and reception services at Sommerville Baptist Church in Sommerville, South Carolina, on June 15.
Scarlett said friends from her theater group in Los Angeles are also planning a private “press- and fan-free” memorial for Wactor, which she hopes to attend if she can.
She also confirmed that her co-worker Anita Joy, whom she protected in her final moments, will attend the funeral and said: “I'm very excited… it will be good to be able to see her and get to know her too.”
Johnny Wactor's mother, Scarlett Wactor, confirmed to Fox News Digital that his funeral will take place on June 15 in South Carolina. (Craig Sjodin/ABC via Getty Images)
'GENERAL HOSPITAL' STAR JOHNNY WACTOR'S HORRIFIC FINAL MOMENTS AFTER BEING SHOT BY 'COWARDLY' KILLER: CO-WORKER
Joy shared her final moments on Instagram last Wednesday.
“Johnny was between the man who shot him and me,” he wrote. “When I heard the shot ring out in the night, he fell hard into my arms. As he grabbed him, I screamed 'Honey, are you okay?!' And he just responded: 'No! Shot!' We fell on the street where I pushed my legs under him and tried to hold his body up as he screamed for help and yelled at him to stay with me.”
“I am so grateful to have been a part of his world and his, mine. My heart is broken by his loss, but I believe I have gained the best guardian angel there is. I love you, Johnny Wacky,” Joy concluded.
On Wednesday, the Los Angeles County medical examiner concluded that the manner of death was a “homicide” and the direct cause was a “gunshot wound to the chest.”
Wactor's co-worker Anita Joy, whom he protected in his final moments, will attend his funeral. (Getty/Anita Joy Instagram)
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Scarlett has not received any updates from the LAPD as police continue to search for the suspects, who fled the scene wearing dark clothing and driving a dark-colored sedan, according to a press release obtained by Fox News Digital.
“I hope it's a good thing because my thinking is, usually… whatever they have, they have to follow suit, execute it, why would you call the mother like, 'Yeah, we have something?' “Or even if they have something, you know they're not going to tell me.” Scarlett said.
He added: “Let's keep our fingers crossed that they have something and maybe we'll hear something soon.”
Wactor's godmother, Michaelle Kinard, previously started a GoFundMe to support the family's travels as needed, and Scarlett said another is in the works “for any rewards we can offer if the detectives need it” and if the perpetrators are caught up. Before they get to the point of offering a reward, they will refund the money donated.
Police are still searching for suspects in Wactor's murder, and his mother Scarlett said the family is starting a GoFundMe for a possible reward, if needed. (Albert L. Ortega/Getty Images)
DEATH OF 'GENERAL HOSPITAL' ACTOR JOHNNY WACTOR LEAVES CAST 'SICK': 'HE WAS TRULY ONE OF A KIND'
While the family waits for news, Scarlett is now focused on getting justice for her son.
“There has to be a change. Johnny's death doesn't have to be in vain. The whole city needs to change, and I can't even vote or do anything of course, but just continually push for it and keep pushing as hard as I can.” necessary for that place to change. I mean, it's sad, but I would like it to be safe for other people who live there. No one else needs to die, even though I know I can't. this”.
Scarlett said she has begun researching how to work with local Los Angeles politicians to campaign for change, including Kevin de Leon, councilman for Los Angeles' 14th Ward.
De León issued a statement Saturday on social media, saying he is “deeply heartbroken by the tragic and senseless murder of Johnny Wactor.”
Wactor's mother is seeking justice for her son from local politicians, saying his “death does not have to be in vain.” (Michael Tullberg/Getty Images)
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“I have been in contact with Johnny's mother to offer deepest condolences to everyone in our city and assure her that we are committed to ensuring justice for Johnny. I am working closely with the LAPD's Central Homicide Division to ensure they devote the necessary attention . resources and support to conduct a thorough and prompt investigation,” the statement continued.
He concluded: “Our community deserves to feel safe and we will not rest until those responsible are held accountable. I urge anyone with information about this incident to come forward to assist in the investigation.”
In particular, Scarlett hopes to see changes regarding the provision of parking and protection for employees working in downtown Los Angeles.
“If there's a bar there and it stays open after 10 or midnight, they should provide parking. They should provide an escort. I mean, that's just stupid. And they can do it. These are multi-billion dollar companies. “They need to do it. And to me, the city needs to force them to do it,” she said.
Wactor's mother hopes downtown Los Angeles businesses will change policies regarding parking and employee protection. (Craig Sjodin/ABC via Getty Images))
CO-WORKER OF 'GENERAL HOSPITAL' STAR JOHNNY WACTOR CLAIMS SECURITY CONCERNS WERE DISMISSED BEFORE HIS MURDER
Wactor was working at Level 8, a rooftop bar, and was leaving work with Joy in the early hours of May 25 when he encountered three people trying to steal the catalytic converter from his car, police confirmed.
In an interview with the Daily Mail, Joy said staff had been complaining for months about the lack of parking available to them, but their concerns were ignored.
“Everyone wants to go out, get drunk, have a good time and have fun, but the people who serve them are in danger when they come home because we leave when everyone is already in bed, and we need to be protected.” he told the outlet. “We need our employers to care about us and make things happen, rather than just saying, 'Oh, we'll have a security guard come with you.'” “There was a security guard right there doing CPR on Johnny afterwards.”
On Friday, Level 8 shared a statement regarding Wactor's death and the safety measures it planned to implement in the future.
Level 8, the bar where Wactor worked at the time of his death, said it is planning new safety measures in the future. (Gilbert Carrasquillo/GC Images)
GENERAL HOSPITAL STAR JOHNNY WACTOR'S FORMER FIANCE WAS NOT SURPRISED, PROTECTING CO-WORKER DURING FATAL SHOOTING
“At Level 8, we take safety very seriously,” the post said. “Since we opened, we have provided our staff with the option to have security escorts to the nearby parking lot after hours. And in light of this tragic incident, we have been speaking with our team and professionals in the field, and We are actively investigating further safety measures for our staff.
“We understand that a tragedy like this affects everyone differently and deeply. We are committed to providing a safe and supportive environment for everyone at Level 8.”
In a since-deleted comment, one user wrote: “Most security guards leave before us for those of us who work at the club. Let's park at the hotel. Valet refuses to let staff park even though we are willing.” pay.”
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A representative for Mark and Jonnie Houston of Houston Hospitality, who are partners in Level 8, did not respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment at the time.
Scarlett said the bar has not been in contact with her. In a previous interview with Fox News Digital, she had noted that her workplace did not have designated parking for employees.
Fox News Digital's Christina Dugan Ramirez contributed to this report.
