First picture of gunman who shot US singer Christina Grimmie dead after performance
The 22-year-old star was reportedly shot in the head by 'deranged fan' Kevin James Loibl as she signed autographs
THIS is the first picture of the man who reportedly entered a Florida concert hall with two guns and a hunting knife before opening fire on Christina Grimmie.
Voice star Christina was brutally murdered while performing at a concert in Florida by Kevin James Loibl, who later killed himself.
The 27-year-old, described as a 'deranged fan', allegedly had plans to travel to another city in Florida after the shooting, but ended up turning the gun on himself.
Singing sensation Christina, 22, who placed third on the US version of the talent show in 2014, was shot in the head backstage at the event the Plaza Live theatre while she was signing autographs for her adoring fans.
Her brother Mark bravely tackled the gunman – who reportedly had a “disfigured face” - in a valiant attempt to save his talented sister before the killer reportedly shot himself dead.
Christina was rushed to Orlando Regional Medical Center where she was said to be in a critical condition.
One witness said she was bleeding from the head and was given chest compressions.
The shooting took place at 10:45pm (EST) and the young star’s publicist confirmed that she has died at 2:45am.
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She said: “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 families GoFundMe page in their time of need.”
No one else was injured during the attack and the identity of the crazed shooter has yet to be confirmed.
Speaking with the Orlando Sentinel, food vendor Josh Call said he was outside the venue when he heard four or five gunshots.
He said: “It was quick like pow, pow, pow, pow."
He added that a security guard who was outside the building jumped when he heard the shots and ran inside to investigate.
Call said he eventually went inside the concert venue where he saw “a female” on the ground being given chest compressions with blood pouring out of her head.
He confirmed he saw the dead body of a man with a “disfigured face” lying near her.
One Instagram user claimed that the popstar was shot three times – although this has not been confirmed.
Wanda Miglio ,of the Orlando Police Department, told NBC that the singer was attending a meet-and-greet with supporting act Before You Exit when the attack took place.
Cops confirmed that the killer had two guns on his person when he carried out the savage killing.
There is still no confirmation if he knew Christina.
NBC reported that there was around 60 people backstage when shooting happened – including teens and small children.
Fan Juana Villegas told the Orlando Sentinel: “We were waiting out there to go see (Grimmie) come out at the back of the venue, and then we just saw security running.
“Then a girl comes out hysterically crying and she said that someone shot themselves next to her.”
Before finding fame on the NBC talent show, Christina had built a huge following on YouTube – with the account name 'zeldaxlove64' - posting stripped-down covers of pop songs by artists such as Adele and Miley Cyrus.
Christina, who is known for her version of Nelly's I Have a Dream, was signed by Adam Levine’s label Island Records after starring on The Voice.
Fans have taken to social to share their disbelief at the senseless killing.
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