US 'The Voice' Singer Shot Dead At Concert

A 22 year-old US singer has been shot dead in Florida as she was signing autographs for fans after a show.

Christina Grimmie was a contestant on the US version of the talent show The Voice in 2014 (she placed third). 

A gunman opened fire on Grimmie before shooting himself. It is believed he had two guns in his possession.

The Guardian reports that police said the singer had performed with the band Before You Exit at The Plaza Live in Orlando. The concert ended around 10pm, and Grimmie was shot as she signed autographs for fans at a merchandise table.

A publicist for Grimmie confirmed the singer's death saying, "Christina has passed and went home to be with the Lord”. 

The gunman has not yet been identified and it is believed that the singer's brother tackled the shooter as he started firing. Orlando police Sgt Wanda Miglio called Grimmie's brother a hero, saying that he stopped the gunman from hurting anyone else.

Prior to The Voice, Grimmie had found fame as a YouTuber, best known for a cover of Nelly's Just A Dream that she performed with another online star Sam Tsui. That clip, posted in 2010, has had over 17 million views.

This incident comes just weeks after Japanese pop star Mayu Tomita was stabbed 20 times by a fan during a meet and greet session ahead of a planned performance. Tomita was lucky to survive and only just regained consciousness this week.