The music world is recovering from a stunning tragedy this morning.
On Friday night, The Voice alumnus Christina Grimmie was killed in Orlando when a man approached her after a concert and simply opened fire.
Grimmie was 22 years old.
According to multiple outlets, Grimmie had just finished a show with pop rock band Before You Exit at the Plaza Live when she and the band’s members lined up for an autograph session.
Soon afterward, a gunman with two weapons walked up and shot Grimmie.
The artist’s brother quickly tackled the shooter, who turned a gun on himself and committed suicide.
He is being hailed as a hero for saving other lives, but he could not save his sister:
Grimmie was taken to a local hospital and died of her injuries early Saturday morning.
In response to the tragedy, the official The Voice Twitter account sent the following message about the 2014 contestant:
There are no words. We lost a beautiful soul with an amazing voice. Our hearts go out to the friends, fans and family of @TheRealGrimmie.
Grimmie was signed to Island Records and was working on an album at the time of her death.
“Christina was such a loving, caring, beautiful person with the biggest heart. She was an absolutely incredible musician and an even better friend,” the band tweeted early Sunday morning about Grimmie.
The group referred to Grimmie as an “angel, sister and a beloved friend” and added:
“We are so saddened by her passing and are completely heartbroken. Words fail to describe how much Christina means to all of us. She was always a constant beam of light and energy into the hearts of everyone around her.
“Her care-free spirit and her laughter constantly lit up every room she entered and she always had this glisten in her eyes which was evident in her faith.
“While we know there is no sort of feeling that can replace the joy Christina brought into our lives, we know she is glistening from up in Heaven and shining down on all of us.”
In conclusion, the band Tweeted:
“Please join us in keeping Christina’s family as we know Jesus said, ‘In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.’
“She and her talent will be missed by us all.”
We send our heartfelt condolences to Christina’s family members, friends and loved ones.
Added a rep for the young singer:
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.