'The Voice' Singer Christina Grimmie Dies After Being Shot By Deranged Fan
LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com/AP) — A gunman opened fire at a Florida concert venue as a onetime star of "The Voice" signed autographs for fans after a show, killing the performer before fatally shooting himself, officials said Saturday.
A publicist for Christina Grimmie, Heather Weiss, said in an email early Saturday that "we can confirm that Christina has passed and went home to be with the Lord." The Orlando Police Department also confirmed on its official Twitter page that Grimmie had died.
Orlando police identified the shooter Saturday afternoon as Kevin James Loibl, 27.
Grimmie, a New Jersey native, finished third during season six of NBC's "The Voice" in 2014, competing on the team of Maroon 5 star Adam Levine. She began amassing a following on YouTube as a teenager, gripping online viewers with her powerful renditions of hit songs. Her videos on YouTube have garnered millions of views.
Police said in a news release that the 22-year-old singer had performed with the band Before You Exit at The Plaza Live in Orlando. The concert ended around 10 p.m., and Grimmie was shot as she signed autographs for fans at a merchandise table.
Grimmie's brother immediately tackled the gunman, who then shot and killed himself during the struggle, police said. An investigation is ongoing, but police credited the singer's brother with preventing the gunman from hurting others.
Sgt. Wanda Miglio said during a news conference after the shooting that about 60 to 100 people were in attendance, though only a handful remained when the shooting happened.
Miglio said she did not know what security was like at the venue, or how the shooter got two guns inside. She also said she did not know if off-duty officers were working the concert.
"It was just a casual event," she said.
Grimmie had posted a video of herself shortly before the concert was scheduled to begin, encouraging fans to come see her perform.
Levine posted a photo of himself with Grimmie on Instagram, commenting before her death was confirmed: "I'm sad, shocked and confused. We love you so much Grimmie. We are all praying hard that you can pull through this ... this just isn't fair."
When reports of Grimmie's death first surfaced, #PrayforChristina was the top trending hashtag on Twitter. After her death was confirmed, #RIPChristina became the top trending hashtag as Grimmie's fans took to social media to express an outpouring of grief.
"The Voice" paid tribute to Grimmie on its official Twitter page: "There are no words. We lost a beautiful soul with an amazing voice."
The Philadelphia Inquirer reported in 2014 that Grimmie moved to Los Angeles in 2012 after joining Selena Gomez on tour to focus on her singing career.
"I'm done being surprised by cool things she does. She's very talented and she's worked incredibly hard — it's a dangerous combination," her brother Marcus Grimmie told the newspaper at the time.
On Saturday, Marcus wrote the following statement on his Facebook page:
"By now I'm sure many you have heard that Christina has passed away due to gunfire after a show. I really don't have much to say about anything and am just blown away with the prayers and support. I PROMISE I will respond to everyone when I can.
Christina was more than my sister. She was a partner in life. A superstar. A goofball. Introverted. And a friend to everyone. Genuinely. But above all...she was my baby sister. She loved the Lord and her family and was always there for me and I honestly don't know what ill do without her.
But please, if you are reading this far, I would love all and any of you to post pics of you and her and/or memories you have of her down in the comments. I will cherish it forever and always. So please do that for me. Thank you all so so much. The support has been crazy and I do feel a peace. I just don't have any words. I love you all."
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