Christina Grimmie, with her mother and brother Mark.
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The pop princess was close pals with The Voice star Christina, who was shot and killed while signing autographs after a concert in Orlando, Florida on Friday night.
A publicist for Christina Grimmie, Heather Walsh, said in an email early Saturday that “we can confirm that Christina has passed and went home to be with the Lord”.
Grimmie participated in the sixth season of “The Voice”, a television show that signs the victor of the season to a record deal worth $100,000. “Christina’s brother immediately tackled the suspect, who shot and killed himself”, the police said.
According to Mina, Grimmie likely did not know her attacker, who was described as a 27-year-old white male not from the Orlando area. Several of her videos on YouTube have garnered millions of views.
“It definitely could have prevented further loss of life”, Mina said.
Police say the suspect had two guns.
“The suspect traveled to Orlando apparently to commit this crime”, Orlando police chief John Mina told reporters.
There is no indication Loibl and Grimmie knew each other prior to the attack and he is not believed to have a criminal record, officials say.
There were around 120 people at the concert venue at the time of the shooting.
The family of Kevin James Loibl have offered their condolences to Christina Grimmie’s loved ones.
Reportedly there are security measures in place at the theater, but no metal detectors are present and concert attendees are not, reportedly, patted down on entry.
Adam Levine, who was her coach on The Voice, also mourned her on Twitter, posting a photograph of the two together.
Selena Gomez has paid a glowing tribute to her long-time friend Christina Grimmie.
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“This person was in the crowd with us, and while we were singing, having a great time, he was there with different intentions”, she said. “Rip to an fantastic soul!”
