Adam Turck, a celebrated Virginia actor, is being remembered as a hero after he was fatally shot while trying to stop a domestic dispute.
According to Richmond Police, the tragedy unfolded on the morning of Saturday, August 2, outside an apartment building in Richmond, per the Independent.
Turck, 35, had been walking his dog when he came across a heated argument between a man and a woman.
In an effort to de-escalate the situation, police say Turck stepped in — only for the 19-year-old man involved to pull out a gun and shoot him. The gunman then turned the weapon on himself.
“Adam put his life on the line to protect someone in need, and we will forever remember him for this sacrifice,” Turck’s family said in a statement to WTVR.
“Although we cannot go into details on the events of this past Saturday due to the nature of the event, we were told that if Adam had not been there, the person he intervened to help would not be with us today.”
Richmond Police Chief Rick Edwards called it “a tragic story of gun violence against a person who was simply trying to de-escalate a disturbing argument.”
He added: “This is a heartbreaking reminder that we must, as a community, continue to combat gun violence in our society.”
Turck’s injuries were so severe that his family made the decision to keep him alive temporarily so his organs could be donated.
“Adam will be 35 years old when he passes in the next few days, after donating his organs to help save the lives of others,” his family said before his death was confirmed. “That’s what heroes do – they save the lives of others.”
Originally from Bucks County, Pennsylvania, Turck moved to Richmond after touring the country with Olney Theatre’s National Players.
He quickly became a fixture in the city’s arts and fitness communities, earning multiple Richmond Theatre Community Circle Award nominations and winning Best Actor in a Play in 2018 for Hand to God. He had been preparing to star in Dracula: A Comedy of Horrors this fall.
Tributes have poured in from friends, colleagues, and fans.
At the Firehouse Theatre, dozens gathered to celebrate his life and legacy. “He is the person who put us all back together,” said Kerith Rae, owner of Tequila & Deadlifts, where Turck was a longtime member.
“He would give you a hug and it puts you back together… He’s the kind of person people write about in books because they want to be that good and he just was. And this world is a duller, darker place without him.”
The Virginia Repertory Theatre, where Turck frequently performed, described him as “a light, both on stage and in every space he entered.” Their statement continued: “He was a gifted actor, passionate activist, and beloved member of our community. His artistry, integrity, and fierce compassion touched so many of us. This is a profound loss we share as a community.”
Audience members who had seen Turck perform echoed those sentiments online. “SOO SAD!!! I saw him in Dial M for Murder — he was awesome and appears to have been an awesome person too!!!” wrote one.
Another said: “What a wonderful young man and such a talented and funny actor! So sad something like this had to happen — why? Such a senseless loss of life!”
Our thoughts are with Turck's loved ones at this difficult time.