Christina Grimmie dead: Former Voice contestant dies after man shoots her then kills himself
Grimmie came in third place on season 6 of 'The Voice,' NBC's singing competition, which aired in 2014
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Singer Christina Grimmie has died after being shot at a concert venue in Florida by a man who then shot and killed himself, her publicist has confirmed.
Orlando Police Department officials told WKMG-TV that the 22-year-old was shot on Friday night at The Plaza Live, where she was scheduled to perform.
Grimmie and members of the American pop rock band Before You Exit, who also performed on the night, were signing autographs after a concert when a male suspect opened fire.
The singer was taken to hospital in critical condition but died of her injuries.
Police called the shooting a "very tragic event" and praised Grimmie's brother as "a hero".
“Upon arrival officers found the male suspect, who was deceased and one victim who was gravely injured. That victim, singer Christina Grimmie, was transported to the hospital with critical injuries,” Orlando Police told E! News.
They said Grimmie's brother tackled the shooter, who then shot himself, and that the suspect had two guns.
“It is with a heavy heart that we can confirm that Christina has passed and went home to be with the Lord,” her publicist Heather Weiss said in a statement, according to NBC. “We ask at this time that you respect the privacy of her family and friends in their time of mourning.”
Witnesses descibed a harrowing scene in the moments after the shooting.
Juana Villegas told BNO News: "We were waiting out there to go see [Christina Grimmie] come out at the back of the venue, and then we saw security running. Then a girl comes out hysterically crying and she said someone shot themselves next to her."
No further information was immediately available, and an investigation is continuing.
Grimmie, a New Jersey native, finished third during season six of NBC's The Voice.
Addtional reporting by AP
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments