YouTube sensation and a former contestant on season 6 of The Voice, Christina Grimmie was fatally shot in an Orlando concert while signing autographs. The shooting occurred around 10:30 p.m. EST, during a meet and greet. During the time of the shooting, more than 120 people were at the venue.
When police finally arrived, two people had been shot. Grimmie died shortly after being admitted to the Orlando Regional Medical Center.
When Grimmie was shot, her brother immediately tackled the shooter. The shooter, Kevin Loibl, proceeded to shoot himself during the scuffle. The case is currently under investigation. There is no apparent information showing that Grimmie personally knew Loibl.
Killer Traveled Specifically To Shoot Christina Grimmie
Loibl was carrying two magazines, two loaded handguns, and a large knife when he committed murder. Orlando police noted that Loibl specifically traveled from his home in St. Petersburg to Orlando just to commit the crime.
. @ChiefJohnMina We know people want answers and our detectives are working all leads at this time. pic.twitter.com/Q4NUeXiViw
— Orlando Police (@OrlandoPolice) June 11, 2016
The 27-year-old killer even had plans to travel back home once he was done. Orlando Police Chief John Mina did not elaborate on the mode of transportation that Loibl took to arrive at the concert, but remarked that he did not drive himself to the venue.
Deranged Fans Are The Dark Side of Fandom
According to an official news conference, Loibl was a deranged fan. This exposes a light on the dark side of fame: the vulnerability associated with stardom. The list of stars and celebrities that had to contend with their stalkers is long, exhaustive, and scary.
Celebrity worship is steadfast in today’s culture, with many mentally ill fans taking it a step further, glorifying their favorite celebrities into something akin to idolatry.
Famous entertainers spend thousands of dollars and take extreme measures to protect themselves from fixated fans. Grimmie, unfortunately, was a burgeoning star who was brutally murdered.
The investigation is still ongoing, but many point to the fact that neither armed security nor metal detectors were employed at the venue, showcasing Grimmie’s dedication to her fans, but also a frustrating hint of her naivete, which helped lead to vulnerability.
Grimmie’s stepfather created a public GoFundMe page.
Featured Image A Screenshot Of ET Video Via YouTube.
