The Voice singer, Christina Grimmie, shot dead while signing autographs after concert

THE Voice US singer Christina Grimmie has been shot dead while signing autographs for fans following a concert in Florida.

Heather Walsh, a publicist for Grimmie, said in an email that “we can confirm that Christina has passed and went home to be with the Lord”.

The Orlando Police Department also confirmed on its official Twitter page that Grimmie had died.

Police said the suspect “walked up and shot” Grimmie as she signed autographs for fans at a merchandise table.

She was shot about 10:45pm local time on Friday at The Plaza Live, where she had performed earlier with the band Before You Exit.

Grimmie’s brother immediately tackled the gunman, who then shot and killed himself during the struggle.

The gunman was not identified, and police have not said why he attacked the singer.

“We don’t know if he was just a crazy fan that followed her on Twitter or on social media. We really don’t know,” police spokeswoman Wanda Miglio said at a news conference.

“This is a very tragic event. This should have been something that was fun and exciting, and for something like this to happen is just a tragedy.”

An investigation is ongoing, but police credited the singer’s brother with preventing the gunman from hurting others.

“Her brother is a hero for saving and stopping him from not hurting anyone else,” Miglio said adding that about 60 to 100 people were in attendance, though only a handful remained when the shooting happened.

Miglio said she did not know what security was like at the venue, or how the shooter got two guns inside. She also said she did not know if off-duty officers were working the concert.

“It was just a casual event,” she said.

Grimmie had posted a video of herself shortly before the concert was scheduled to begin, encouraging fans to come see her perform.