The Richmond theater community is in mourning after one of its most beloved actors was mortally wounded in a shooting over the weekend.
Adam Turck, 35, was shot Saturday morning while intervening in a domestic dispute he came across while walking his dog in Shockoe Bottom. When Turck intervened, a 19-year-old male produced a gun from a backpack and shot him. The 19-year-old then shot himself. Turck was taken to a hospital where he remains on life support. A representative for Turck’s family confirmed details about the shooting. A gathering for the theater community will be held this evening at 8:30 p.m. at the Firehouse Theatre.
“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 in a statement on Monday [complete statement below]. “That’s what heroes do – they save the lives of others.”
“This is a tragic story of gun violence against a person who was simply trying to de-escalate a disturbing argument,” said Richmond Police Chief Rick Edwards in a statement. “This is a heartbreaking reminder that we must, as a community, continue to combat gun violence in our society.”
A talented and frequent presence on the Richmond stage, Turck played a range of roles but had a special flair for portraying dark and comedic characters. He won a Best Actor award from the Richmond Theatre Critics Circle* in 2018 for 5th Wall Theatre’s “Hand to God.” Turck played Jason, a teenage boy whose puppet becomes possessed and scandalizes his devoutly religious community. He also received nominations for Best Supporting Actor in Quill Theatre’s** 2019 production of “The Tempest” and Best Lead Performance for Richmond Triangle Players’ 2022 production of “The Inheritance.”
In a Facebook update on Sunday, founder and executive director of Bridge 9 Theater Rachel Garmon-Williams posted: “It is with great sadness that we share our Superman Adam Turck will not be coming back from this. He will keep saving lives as an organ donor and begins that journey soon. As we know information about celebrating our friend and champion, we’ll let you know. Community mattered so much to him, please love and support each other. Share stories, talk to each other, and respect the privacy of those who need it most.”
Local theater world grieving on social media
The local theater community took to social media to express their grief, with many comparing Turck to his beloved Superman.
“Devastated. Gutted. Speechless. Numb,” wrote Lucian Restivo, RTP’s artistic director. “I will always love you, Adam.”
“Adam Turck, we all raise you up in spirit and support you in your journey to the next plane,” wrote local actor and composer Jason Marks. “You most definitely wear a cape, and we will hold each other closely as we watch you peacefully drift into the sunset of this life. How fortunate so many of us knew you, worked with you, laughed with you, and had the honor to be in your presence. Our community will not soon forget your contributions, your talents, and most importantly your heart — how rarely such a great soul comes onto this Earth.”
“Along with many, many others, my heart is broken tonight,” wrote Bruce Miller, Virginia Rep’s founding artistic director and senior advisor to the recently formed theater group Atlas Partnership. “Adam Turck was one in a million. A true Superman, out to save the world. And he did, one soul at a time.”
“The impact that you made during your time in this world is immeasurable,” wrote local actress Rachel Rose Gilmour. “It was an absolute honor to share space with you. Fly, Superman, fly.”
“We are heartbroken by the tragic loss of Adam Turck, a gifted actor, passionate activist, and beloved member of our community,” Virginia Rep posted on Facebook. “Adam was a light, both on stage and in every space he entered. His artistry, integrity, and fierce compassion touched so many of us.”
“The Richmond community has lost a true hero,” posted 5th Wall Theatre. “We are deeply saddened by the passing of Adam Turck. Adam was not only an extraordinary artist, but also a bright light, a kind soul, and a truly one of a kind human being. He was the very best of us. He brought his immense talent to 5th Wall Theatre in ‘Hand to God’ and most recently to ‘Lonely Planet’ with Firehouse Theatre. His powerful presence will be profoundly missed.”
“Adam was a beloved pillar of the Richmond Theatre community who has appeared on every theatre’s stage at one point or another,” posted Richmond Shakespeare. “More importantly though, Adam was kind, sensitive, dashing, daring, eccentric and usually the most positive voice in the room.”
Statement from Turck’s family
Turck’s family released the following statement Monday afternoon:
“We were asked to provide a brief overview of the life of our brother, friend and fellow artist. Narrowing this man into anything ‘brief’ is a monumental task, but we will do our best to share of him what he so graciously shared with us. He was playful and clever, he was strong and wise, he was wildly competitive and had a moral compass made of steel. Adam was fiercely devoted to his craft, his loved ones, and finding joy in any corner. He was also stubborn, too smart for his own good, and when he started a bit, oh, that man would not quit. But above all else, he was kind.
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. That’s what heroes do – they save the lives of others. On August 2nd, 2025, Adam put his life on the line to protect someone in need and we will forever remember him for this sacrifice. Although we cannot go into details on the events of this past Saturday due to the nature of the event, it was told to us that if Adam was not there, the person he intervened to help would not be with us today.
Adam is survived by his parents, Peter and Terry Ann, and his older brothers, Pete and Daniel, as well as his beloved Lana, whom he adopted two years ago from the Southside Animal Control. He is also survived by a legacy that will outlive him — a champion of the arts, a staunch ally and advocate, a beloved friend. Emphasis on the ‘beloved.’ Having spent the last several days in the hospital with him, we have been told and witnessed that staff at VCU have had to make accommodations for the number of people desperate to hold his hand one last time.
Adam grew up in Bucks County, Pennsylvania but his chosen home for the last decade was Richmond, Virginia. After touring the country as part of Olney Theatre’s National Players, he settled here and immediately joined the Richmond theatre community, gracing every stage in the city countless times. A multiple nominee for the Richmond Theatre Community Circle Awards, he won the award for Best Actor in a Play in 2018 for “Hand to God.” He was most recently seen in Cadence Theatre’s production of “Smoke” and was preparing to play the title role in “Dracula: A Comedy of Horrors” at Richmond Triangle Players this fall.
There will need to be further testing done to determine which of his organs will be viable and to prepare recipients to accept his donations. We hope that those lives he saves will know that they will hold the soul of a hero within them. Once we know dates for certain, we will inform the community at large when and how they can honor him. Until then, hold him in your hearts and hold your loved ones in your arms.
You’ve probably seen a lot of Superman imagery in the past few days as people have poured out their love on social media. If you’ve seen the latest movie, you’ll know the poster tells us to Look Up. We’re looking up for you, Adam. We’re gonna keep looking up.”
Turck tackled dozens of characters during his time in Richmond. In Yes, And! Theatrical Co.’s exemplary “Pass Over” last summer, Turck played dual roles as an overly polite dandy and a terrifying police officer. Somehow hilarious, charming and menacing all at once, Turck’s performance was a showcase of his talents.
This year, Turck appeared in Yes, And!’s “Constellations,” Cadence Theatre Company’s “Smoke,” and Virginia Rep’s “Dial M for Murder.” He was set to star as the title role in Richmond Triangle Players’ “Dracula: A Comedy of Terrors” next month.
Turck also appeared in more than half a dozen shows with the Maryland-based National Players, America’s longest-running touring theater company.
Correction: An earlier version quoting the family statement had the incorrect name of one of his surviving brothers.
* – now known as the Richmond Theatre Community Circle. Full disclosure: Griset is a former RTCC member.
** – now known as Richmond Shakespeare.
