ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — "The Voice" star Christina Grimmie has died after she was shot at a Florida concert venue while signing autographs for fans following a show, officials said Saturday.
A publicist for 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." The Orlando Police Department also confirmed on its official Twitter page that Grimmie had died.
Police said in a news release that the 22-year-old singer had performed with the band Before You Exit at The Plaza Live in Orlando. The concert ended around 10 p.m., and Grimmie was shot as she signed autographs for fans at a merchandise table.
Grimmie's brother immediately tackled the gunman, who then shot and killed himself during the struggle, police said. The gunman was not identified, and police have not said why he attacked the singer. An investigation is ongoing, but police credited the singer's brother with preventing the gunman from hurting others.
Grimmie, a New Jersey native, finished third during season six of NBC's "The Voice." She began amassing a following on YouTube as a teenager, gripping online viewers with her powerful renditions of hit songs. Several of her videos on YouTube have garnered millions of views.