Fla. police probing shooting of ‘The Voice’ singer
ORLANDO, Fla. — The 27-year-old gunman who shot and killed a singer who rose to fame after appearing on “The Voice” traveled to Orlando specifically to attack her and then fatally shot himself, authorities said Saturday.
Orlando police Chief John Mina said at a news conference that the suspect, identified as Kevin Loibl, of St. Petersburg, didn’t appear to know Christina Grimmie personally.
Grimmie was shot after giving a concert Friday night in Orlando and died early Saturday.
“She was doing a meetand-greet, just signing autographs and selling merchandise. This white male approached her and opened fire,” Mina said. “We believe he came here to commit this crime.”
The 22-year-old singer from New Jersey finished third on NBC’s “The Voice” in 2014, competing on the team of Adam Levine.
Fans of the singer are grieving on social media outlets using the #RIPChristina hashtag.
Grimmie’s performance ended around 10 p.m., and she was shot as she signed autographs for fans at a merchandise table in The Plaza Live concert venue.
Grimmie’s brother, Marcus, tackled the gunman, who then shot and killed himself during the struggle, police said. They credited the singer’s brother with preventing the gunman from hurting any of the 120 others present.
Loibl had on him two handguns, two loaded magazines and a hunting knife, Mina said.
At Loibl’s St. Petersburg home, someone had left a note on the front door, expressing the “deepest sorrow” for the loss “to the family, friends & fans of the very talented, loving Christina Grimmie.” The note said there would be no other comment.
Detectives were searching the suspect’s cellphone and social media accounts looking for clues as to a motive, Mina said.
“The Voice” paid tribute to Grimmie on its official Twitter page: “There are no words. We lost a beautiful soul with an amazing voice.”