RICHMOND, VA – Police in Virginia have identified the teenager who shot and killed local actor Adam Turck before taking his own life last weekend.
On Friday, Aug. 8, the Richmond Police Department (RPD) confirmed that 19-year-old Destin Grady, a Richmond resident, was the individual responsible for fatally shooting Turck. The tragic incident occurred as Turck, remembered as a “hero” by those who knew him, attempted to de-escalate a domestic dispute.
Grady’s actions, which ended with him taking his own life, have left the community in shock. Adam Turck, known for his acting and his compassionate nature, was killed during this violent confrontation.
While RPD officials did not immediately respond to further inquiries, local media outlets, including WRIC, WTVR, and WWBT, have continued to report on the investigation.
The loss of Turck has deeply affected his friends, family, and the local community, with many remembering him for his dedication to helping others and his positive impact as a local actor.
The Richmond Police Department (RPD) has identified the 19-year-old who shot and killed local actor Adam Turck before taking his own life last weekend. The tragic incident occurred on Saturday, Aug. 2, at the 2000 block of East Grace Street.
According to reports from WRIC and WTVR, RPD responded to a domestic dispute call around 10:17 a.m., where they found two unresponsive men suffering from life-threatening gunshot wounds. Police later confirmed that 19-year-old Destin Grady fatally shot Turck before shooting and killing himself.
Turck, a beloved actor known for his roles on stage, had attempted to intervene in a confrontation between Grady and a woman on the sidewalk. As Turck walked by with his dog, he tried to de-escalate the situation, ultimately putting his life at risk to protect someone else. Grady, who was involved in the dispute, opened fire on Turck before taking his own life. Both men were transported to a nearby hospital, but Turck was later pronounced dead.
In a statement released by his family, they shared that ahead of his 35th birthday, Turck had planned to donate his organs to help save others. “That’s what heroes do — they save the lives of others,” his family said. “Adam put his life on the line to protect someone in need, and we will forever remember him for this sacrifice. If Adam had not been there, the person he intervened to help would not be with us today.”
Friends, family, and the local community gathered at the Firehouse Theater in Richmond to celebrate Turck’s life and career. The Virginia Repertory Theatre, where Turck had performed, described him as “a light, both on stage and in every space he entered.” They further expressed their sorrow, stating that his artistry, integrity, and compassion touched countless lives.
Turck had been nominated for multiple Richmond Theatre Community Circle Awards and was named Best Actor in a Play in 2018 for his role in Hand to God. He was preparing to play Dracula in the upcoming Dracula: A Comedy of Horrors at the Richmond Triangle Players theater.
Tequila & Deadlifts gym owner Kerith Rae, who also knew Turck, said the world felt “duller, darker” without him. Rae expressed, “He’s the kind of person people write about in books because they want to be that good, and he just was.”
The Richmond community continues to mourn the loss of a talented actor, a kind soul, and a hero who gave his life to protect another.
