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Thursday, March 28, 2024 | Back issues
Courthouse News Service Courthouse News Service

Singer’s Family Sues Orlando Venue Over Her Killing

The family of "The Voice" singer Christina Grimmie is suing the Orlando venue where she was fatally shot while signing autographs and the promotional company that presented her tour.

(CN) - The family of "The Voice" singer Christina Grimmie is suing the Orlando venue where she was fatally shot while signing autographs and the promotional company that presented her tour.

In a complaint filed Tuesday in the Orange County Circuit Court, Albert Grimmie Jr., the executor of the singer's estate, and other family members claim the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra Plaza Foundation, which owns the venue at which she was shot, and AEG Live failed to take adequate steps to assure her security.

The 22-year-old Christina Grimmie finished third during season six of NBC's "The Voice" in 2014, and her videos on YouTube have garnered millions of views since then.

She was shot to death last June after she opened for the Orlando-based band Before You Exit.

Her family maintains the owners of Orlando's Plaza Live Theatre should have used metal detectors or had security guards pat down concertgoers for weapons the night of her show.

The venue did have security personnel searching purses and bags coming into the show, but Kevin Loibl was able to sneak two 9 mm Glock handguns, ammunition and a knife underneath his clothes without detection.

Loibl shot Grimmie several times as she opened her arms to greet the fan after the June 10 concert. She died later that night.

Mark Grimmie, the singer's brother and a plaintiff in the lawsuit, tackled Liobl immediately after the shots were fired, but the gunman got away and then killed himself.

The singer’s family accuse the defendants of wrongful death and negligent infliction of emotional distress caused by her shooting.

Brian Caplan of Reitler Kailas & Rosenblatt in New York City represents the Grimmie family.

Caplan told Courthouse News, “No amount of money will bring Christina back. We believe that those parties who contributed to Christina’s untimely death should be held responsible for their conduct or failure to act. We are hopeful that our lawsuit will bring widespread attention to the issue of concert security and safety and that more effective safeguards will be employed to protect performers and attendees at concerts around the United States.”

Representatives of AEG Live and the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra Plaza Foundation did not immediately respond to telephone calls seeking comment.

Categories / Business, Criminal, Entertainment, National

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