Following a concert in Orlando, Florida, at the Plaza Live Theater on June 10, former "Voice" singer Christina Grimmie was fatally shot while signing autographs and selling merchandise. The gunman, who was armed with two guns, ended up fatally shooting himself after being tackled by Christina's brother, Mark Grimmie. Christina was pronounced dead shortly after arriving at the hospital on June 11. She was 22 years old.
According to Gun Violence Archive, 13,429 people were killed in the United States by firearms in 2015. Roughly halfway through 2016, and that number is almost 6,000. Between constantly hearing on the news about school shootings, accidental gun incidents, homicides, etc., I am not shocked upon hearing the total number of deaths. Instead, I am shocked that the violence continues without any major changes to the system.
How did a child manage to get hold of a gun? How was the shooter able to purchase a gun so easily? Or, in the case of Grimmie, how did the shooter enter the venue with two guns and no one see anything beforehand?
If her brother, now being called a hero, had not stepped in to tackle the shooter, who knows how many others may have been harmed by the acts of one person deciding to open fire for what appears to be, no reason. Even though all deaths and injuries as a result of gun violence are equally important, Grimmie's death should serve as a massive wake-up call to all those who do not see gun violence as an issue that needs immediate addressing in society.
The fact that Grimmie posted a video to Twitter approximately five hours before the Orlando Police Department received a call about the incident shows how quickly everything can change. Five hours prior to being shot, Grimmie was excited for her show and urging fans to come out and have a good time. Within those five hours, it probably never crossed Grimmie's mind that there was a possibility she would never perform again.
For a 22-year-old to be stripped of her life and all the amazing successes sure to come, is nothing short of a tragedy. Too many lives are lost due to gun violence for something not to be done to impose stricter and more secure laws in terms of possession and use of firearms and other weapons.
