'Voice' alum Christina Grimmie shot, killed after concert in Orlando
LatestChristina Grimmie, a former “Voice” contestant was shot and killed Friday night after a performance in Orlando, police said.
The 22-year-old was signing autographs and selling merchandise around 10:00 p.m. after performing with the band Before You Exit when a man approached her and opened fire, police said. She was taken to the hospital with critical injuries, and later died from those injuries, police said.
The shooter had two handguns, additional magazines and a hunting knife, police chief John Mina said in a press conference on Saturday morning.
Police identified the shooter as Kevin James Loibl, 27, of St. Petersburg, Florida. His motive is still not known. Earlier Saturday, police said they were searching his phone and social media accounts for clues.
After Grimmie was shot, her brother, Marcus Grimmie, tackled Loibl. Loibl then shot and killed himself. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
“Her brother is a hero for saving and stopping him from not hurting anyone else,” said Orlando Police Department public information officer Wanda Miglio, according to ABC News.
“One minute it was super normal. The next minute, it was chaos everywhere,” witness Karla Abel told People.
Mina said there are no metal detectors at the venue and the concertgoers’ bags were searched.
Ahead of the concert, Grimmie tweeted a video asking her fans to “please come out” for the show.
Grimmie placed third on “The Voice” in 2014. She had already a dedicated fan base from a YouTube cover of Miley Cyrus’ “Party in the USA,” which has millions of views. Adam Levine, who coached her on “The Voice,” posted a tribute to Grimmie on Instagram.
“The Voice” and Before You Exit also posted tributes to Grimmie after her death.