‘That’s what heroes do’: Friends, family say shooting victim is donating organs

RICHMOND, Va. (WWBT) - Friends and family have identified a man shot Saturday morning in Richmond as Adam Turck.

“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,” friends and family said in a statement. “That’s what heroes do - they save the lives of others.”

Turck is a well-known local actor in Richmond. He grew up in Bucks County, Pennsylvania but moved to the River City after touring the country as part of Olney Theatre’s National Players

“Adam was a light, both on stage and in every space he entered. His artistry, integrity, and fierce compassion touched so many of us,” Virginia Repertory Theatre posted on Facebook.

He is a multiple time nominee for the Richmond Theatre Community Circle Awards and 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.

Turck was also a trainer at the Richmond gym ‘Tequila and Deadlifts’ on West Cary street.

Kerith Rae is the owner of the space, and he said Turck could be found there every day of the week, often bringing his dog Lana with him.

“I cannot explain the size of the hole that has been left, not just in our gym community or our theater communities, but in the fabric of this world to lose somebody like Adam,” Rae said. “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.”

Rae said Turck’s family called her to help identify him because they could only think of the name of his gym.

“They remembered the gym name, and I remember so many people would tell me how stupid the name was, and Adam said he loved it and I’m so glad he did and I’m so glad it’s so stupid because at least his family remembered it because they were able to get in touch with me” Rae said.

Richmond police said they were called to the scene around 10 a.m. Saturday on East Grace Street.

“Detectives responded and have determined a male, 19, was in a confrontation with a known adult female on the sidewalk in front of an apartment building,” police said Monday. “This argument generated 911 calls for a violent domestic situation. The other male, 35, was passing the confrontation while walking his dog and attempted to intervene in the dispute. The 19-year-old male produced a firearm from his backpack and shot the man and then shot himself."

Those who knew him say he was their Superman.

“He is the person that put us all back together. He would give you a hug and it puts you back together, he would tell you a story or an anecdote. He would ask you how you’re doing and actually mean it and want to know and truly care,” Rae said.

Family and friends say there is testing being done to determine which of Turck’s organs will be donated.

“We hope that those lives he saves will know that they will hold the soul of a hero within them,” they said. “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.”