‘The Voice’ Finalist Christina Grimmie Shot and Killed After Concert
In an incomprehensible tragedy, former The Voice contestant Christina Grimmie has been murdered.
Grimmie was a finalist on the sixth season of the popular reality singing competition, placing third after competing on Team Adam. According to multiple media reports,the 22-year-old singer was signing autographs near a merchandise table after a concert at the Plaza Live in Orlando, Fla. on Friday evening (June 10) when a man approached the table with two guns. The suspect opened fire, mortally wounding the singer, then turned the gun on himself after Grimmie's brother tackled him. The gunman — later identified by Orlando police as 27-year-old Kevin James Loibl — died at the scene.
USA Today reports that witnesses reported four or five shots, including a head wound. Grimmie was taken to the Orlando Regional Medical Center in critical condition. #PrayForChristina was trending worldwide as fans and celebrities pulled for her to survive, but police announced that she had passed away early Saturday morning (June 11) at the age of 22.
Blake Shelton was among the artists who turned to social media to express his grief at the news, responding to a tweet to say that he was praying for the promising young singer. He later said that he "can't believe this," and that he didn't know anything more than fans who had tweeted him.
RaeLynn also asked fans to pray for Grimmie before it was clear that she had not pulled through, writing on Instagram, "I always sign after shows and hug anyone I meet i can't imagine this ever happening. Please pray for Christina, Jesus heal her body. #prayforchristina."
A representative for Grimmie confirmed her death. “It is with a heavy heart that we can confirm that Christina has passed and went home to be with the Lord. She was shot at her show in Orlando, and unfortunately didn’t survive the gun shot wounds," the rep says in a statement. “We ask at this time that you respect the privacy of her family and friends in their time of mourning.”
Several of Grimmie's fellow The Voice alums turned to social media to express their sorrow and disbelief. Taste of Country expresses our condolences to Grimmie's family, friends and fans.
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