This year has brought more than its fair share of death, with entertainment icons such asPrinceandDavid Bowiepassing away over the past few months. Last night, the music industry lost one of its rising stars,The Voicesinger Christina Grimmie, who was shot dead at the age of 22. The singer was signing autographs for fans outside The Plaza Live in Orlando, Florida, when an unidentified gunman approached the singer and fatally shot her. After the singer was shot, her brother tackled the gunman to the ground, when the killer shot himself in the head.
CNNreports that the killer was not from Orlando, and traveled to the Florida city solely to commit thismurder. It is believed that the unidentified killer did not know the singer personallly. The murderer was a 21-year-old white male who was carrying two handguns, two additional magazines and a large hunting knife. Orlando Police ChiefJohn Minasaid police are going through the killer’s computer, phone and other items to see if they can determine a motive for thiskilling. Here’s whatChristina Grimmie’s publicistHeather Weisshad to say in a statement about the singerpassing away.
“It is with a heavy heart that we can confirm thatChristinahas passed and went home to be with the Lord. She was shot at her show in Orlando and, unfortunately, didn’t survive the gunshot wounds. We ask at this time that you respect the privacy of her family and friends in their time of mourning.”
Christina Grimmieappeared on Season 6 of NBC’sThe Voicein 2014. Her performance ofMiley Cyrus' “Wrecking Ball” impressed the judges and won her a spot onAdam Levine’s team, where she ended up taking third place in the competition. The singer was touring with the band Before You Exit at The Plaza Live just before her untimely death. Here’s whatThe VoicecoachAdam Levinehad to say in a statement aboutChristina Grimmie’s passing.
“Christina was a natural, a gifted talent that comes along so rarely. Behati and I are absolutely devastated and heartbroken byChristina Grimmie’s tragic death. Our hearts go out to her family. This is yet another senseless act of extreme violence. I am left stunned and confused how these things can conceivably continue to happen in our world.”
While there are security measures in place at The Plaza Live, their security guards are unarmed, and they only check bags and purses as attendees enter the arena. It’s unclear how the gunman got a weapon into the venue, or if security guards even checked for weapons. We’ll be sure to keep you posted with more updates on this tragic story as soon as more details are released.
