Advertisement

arts entertainmentPop Culture

Police identify gunman who shot and killed 'The Voice' singer Christina Grimmie

Update at 4:20 p.m.: Police have identified the suspected gunman who killed 22 year-old singer Christina Gimmie (and then himself) as 27 year-old male Kevin James Loibl. They say that Loibl did not know Grimmie personally, but that he traveled to Orlando from another city in Florida with the intent of shooting her.

"She was doing a meet-and-greet, just signing autographs and selling merchandise. This white male approached her and opened fire, striking her," Orlando Police Chief John Mina said at a news conference, according to The Associated Press. "We believe he came here to commit this crime." The suspect was carrying two handguns, two loaded magazines and a hunting knife.

Advertisement

According to The AP, "the suspect had made travel arrangement to come to Orlando alone, as well as travel arrangements to go back home, but he didn't have a car."

News Roundups

Catch up on the day's news you need to know.

Or with:

According to CBS

, "Detectives were searching the suspect's cell phone and social media accounts looking for clues as to a motive, Mina said, but they weren't aware of any history of stalking of Grimmie by the suspect."

Advertisement

The hashtag #RIPChristinaGrimmie has been trending on Twitter for most of Saturday.

Original story: Singer Christina Grimmie, well-known after appearing on the reality show The Voice, has died. She was 22.

Advertisement

According to ABC, her rep Heather Walsh said in a statement, "It is with a heavy heart that we can confirm that Christina has passed and went home to be with the Lord. She was shot at her show in Orlando and, unfortunately, didn't survive the gun shot wounds. We ask at this time that you respect the privacy of her family and friends in their time of mourning. If you'd like to give back to Christina's family in her memory, please consider donating to the family's GoFundMe page in their time of need."

Grimmie was in critical condition after being shot at about 10:45 p.m. Friday at Orlando's Plaza Live theater, following a performance by Grimmie and the band Before You Exit. Her brother tackled the suspect after the shooting, but the suspect fatally shot himself.

According to The Associated Press, Orlando Police Department officials say the suspect "walked up and shot" Grimmie while merchandise was being sold and autographs were being given.

Officials are also saying that the suspect had two guns, and that no motive has been established.

According to ABC, Orlando Police Department public information officer Wanda Miglio said, "Her brother is a hero for saving and stopping him from not hurting anyone else."

Advertisement