Police identify ‘Voice’ singer Christina’s killer

Miami, June 12

The gunman who fatally shot Christina Grimmie, an up-and-coming young singer who once appeared on the popular TV show "The Voice," had two handguns and a hunting knife on him at the time of the attack, the US police said. In a tweet, the Orlando Police Department identified the suspect as Kevin James Loibl, releasing a headshot and saying that he was 27 and from St Petersburg, Florida.

Authorities yesterday said they believed he travelled from elsewhere in Florida to Orlando, where Grimmie had given a concert, intent on targeting her. Grimmie, 22, performed late Friday with the group "Before You Exit" at Orlando's Plaza Live Theatre and stayed on to sign autographs and sell merchandise.

The gunman approached her and opened fire without warning, then fatally shot himself, according to police.

Grimmie was rushed to the Orlando Regional Medical Center, but died of her injuries. In addition to two handguns and a hunting knife, the shooter was also carrying two loaded gun magazines, police said.

"The suspect travelled to Orlando, apparently, to commit this crime, and then had plans to travel back to where he came from," police chief said. — AFP