Family Of Late ‘Voice’ Star Christina Grimmie Sues Florida Venue Over Her Killing

The family of the late The Voice singer Christina Grimmie has filed a lawsuit for wrongful death and negligent infliction of emotional distress caused by the 22-year-old singer’s fatal shooting at a venue in Orlando, Florida where she was signing autographs.

Christina Grimmie’s Family Sues Florida Venue Over Killing

Grimmie’s family filed suit Tuesday against AEG Live and the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra Plaza Foundation, the promotional company that owns the venue, accusing them of failing to take adequate security measures, leading to her murder on June 10, according to The Orlando Sentinel. 

“Our thoughts continue to be with the Grimmie family, particularly at this time of year,” a spokesman for Plaza Live said in a statement to CNN. “We will not be speaking about this matter and allow it to be addressed through the proper legal channels.”

Grimmie finished third during season six of NBC’s The Voice in 2014, and has since become a viral YouTube sensation whose videos have millions of views.

Kevin Loibl, the 27-year-old man who killed Grimmie, gained entry to the venue with two handguns, bullets and a hunting knife. Grimmie had previously given a concert in Orlando. Loibl, a native of St. Petersburg, Florida, shot himself after killing her. Police said his motive was mysterious but he may have been a deranged fan.

According to Billboard, the lawsuit states the defendants “failed to take adequate security measures to ensure the safety of the performers and the attendees at the concert venue” — specifying that only “superficial bag checks” were performed, rather than body pat downs or the use of metal detectors.

Grimmie’s family, who is requesting a jury trial, is seeking the future income the young singer would have made, which would have helped provide for her family, as well as medical and funeral expenses. Grimmie’s brother is also asking for damages for the physical and emotional trauma he endured for attempting to save his sister’s life.

Grimmie was killed just two days before a Muslim gunman opened fire in gay nightclub PULSE in Orlando, killing 50 people in the deadliest shooting in U.S. history. Both tragedies renewed a national debate on gun-control and safety in public venues.

In August, Grimmie’s family released a series of music videos she recorded to accompany her Side A EP, which was released in February.