Singer Christina Grimmie died Saturday morning at an Orlando hospital after being shot by an gunman while she signed autographs for fans following a Friday night concert.
The Orlando Police Department confirmed early Saturday that the 22-year-old singer had succumbed to injuries sustained shortly after she finished performing at Plaza Live, a downtown theater.
Miss Grimmie and members of another band on the bill, Before You Exit, stayed after the show to meet fans near a merchandise table inside the venue when a man approached her and opened fire at around 10:30 p.m. Friday evening, the Orlando Sentinel reported.
Josh Call, a hot dog vendor working outside the venue told the Sentinel that he heard four or five gunshots before seeing security rush towards the scene of the shooting.
“I don’t think anyone expected something like this to happen,” he told the newspaper. “It was horrifying.”
The gunman was tackled by Grimmie’s brother, and reportedly shot himself during the ensuing struggle and was pronounced dead on the scene, police said.
The singer was transported to a hospital in critical condition where died several hours later, authorities said Saturday.
“It is with a heavy heart that we can confirm that Christina has passed and went home to be with the Lord,” Miss Grimmie’s publicist confirmed in a statement.
A native of New Jersey, the late singer achieved success after appearing on the the NBC singing competition “The Voice” in 2014. She was briefly signed to Island Records after finishing third during the series’ fourth season, and released her second EP in February of this year.
Authorities did not immediately release the name of the gunman involved. Police are expected to provide further details during a press conference later Saturday morning.
• Andrew Blake can be reached at ablake@washingtontimes.com.
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