Christina Grimmie’s brother Marcus has shared an emotional tribute to his sister via social media following her death this past Friday (June 10).
His sister Christina was a former The Voice contestant who was slain while signing autographs after a concert with Before You Exit by 27-year-old gunman Kevin James Loibl.
Loibl was prevented from shooting others by Marcus, and he then in turn shot and killed himself after killing Christina. His sister died at the young age of 22 and the shooting occurred at Orlando, Florida live music venue The Plaza. In addition to Marcus’s tribute, Grime’s manager Brian Teefey has also launched a GoFundMe page to help the singer’s family during a difficult time according to Billboard.
“Christina was more than my sister,” Marcus wrote in an emotional Facebook post. “She was my partner in life. A superstar. A goofball. Introverted. And a friend to everyone. Genuinely. But above all… she was my baby sister. She loved the Lord and her family and was always there for me and I honestly don’t know what I’ll do without her." In a sad twist, the fallen singer was exuberant in her last Facebook post before her death, asking fans to come out to the show.
Marcus further wrote, “But please, if you are reading this far, I would love all and any of you to post pics of you and her and/or memories you have of her down in the comments. I will cherish it forever and always. So please do that for me. Thank you all so so much. The support has been crazy and I do feel a peace. I just don’t have any words. I love you all.”
The Orlando police department additionally reported that Grimmie had been specifically targeted by the shooter. Police chief John Mina confirmed that the shooter had a hunting knife, two loaded magazines and two handguns in his possession when he approached Grimmie had the concert. Unfortunately, security guards at The Plaza were unarmed that night although they did do bag checks for contraband. No metal detectors were present the night that the young singer died.
