Biodun Iginla, BBC News

Biodun Iginla, BBC News

Saturday, June 11, 2016

Singer Christina Grimmie's killer 'came to confront her'


Christina Grimmie performing in Las Vegas in September 2015Image copyrightREUTERS
Image captionChristina Grimmie was shot while she was signing autographs after the concert

by Alyssa Mann and Biodun Iginla, BBC News, Orlando
The man suspected of killing US singer Christina Grimmie apparently came from another city to confront her, police in Florida say.
They said the gunman "travelled to Orlando to commit this crime" but did not appear to know her personally.
Later police named the gunman as 26-year-old Kevin James Loibl from the city of St Petersburg, Florida.
Ms Grimmie, 22, was shot while signing autographs after a concert in the city on Friday night, and died in hospital.
In 2014, she was a contestant on US TV programme The Voice.
Police say Ms Grimmie was shot about 22:45 local time on Friday (02:45 GMT Saturday) at The Plaza Live in Orlando.
Kevin James Loibl - undated photo released by Orlando policeImage copyrightAP
Image captionLoibl died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound, police said
Orlando police chief John Mina said the gunman, who shot himself dead during a struggle with the singer's brother, had two handguns and a hunting knife.
"She was doing a meet-and-greet, just signing autographs and selling merchandise," he said.
"This white male approached her and opened fire, striking her."
Media captionOrlando police chief John Mina detailed the events leading up to Christina Grimmie's death
The police chief praised Ms Grimmie's brother Marcus.
"Very heroic actions by Marcus Grimmie to jump in and it definitely could have prevented further loss of life," he said.
The singer had been performing with the band Before You Exit.
Up to 100 people were at the concert, but only a handful remained at the venue when the shooting happened, officials said.
Mr Mina said unarmed security guards checked bags as people entered the venue but no metal detectors were used and no body searches were made.
News of the attack spread quickly on social media, with many fans voicing their shock and anger.
Ms Grimmie performs on The Voice Tour in Atlanta, Georgia - June 2014Image copyrightAP
Image captionMs Grimmie finished third in season six of The Voice
Ms Grimmie with a dog named Baxter in New York City - November 2015Image copyrightGETTY IMAGES
Image captionMs Grimmie, seen here at an animal rescue benefit last year in New York, was known for her love of animals
When the first reports of the shooting surfaced, #PrayForChristina was the top trending hashtag on Twitter.
It changed to #RIPChristina after the death was confirmed.
Ms Grimmie first came to prominence as a teenager for her renditions of hit songs, amassing a huge following on YouTube.
In 2011, she released her debut musical recording Find Me. Her second EP - Side A - followed in February 2016.
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