I’m sure that I am not the only one who was shocked to wake up on Saturday, June 11th to the news that 22-year-old singer Christina Grimmie was shot to death outside of a venue in Orlando where she just performed.
Grimmie was outside of the venue meeting her fans and signing autographs when the gunman comes out of nowhere and shoots the young singer. Grimmie’s brother was there and tackled the gunman, probably saving several other young lives that were there. The gunman, after being tackled, shot himself as well.
Though Grimmie was rushed to the hospital, it was too late and the 22-year-old died only a few hours later.
My first thoughts after reading the news that Grimmie died outside of the venue she just performed at with punk band Before You Exit, it made me question the security at this venue and why Grimmie wasn’t more protected. From what I’ve read from other sources, there were security guards posted but were unarmed.
Christina Grimmie started as a young artist on YouTube, making videos of her singing covers of songs, her beautiful voice and bubbly personality gaining her many followers. But the whole world was introduced to Grimmie when she auditioned for the sixth season of The Voice. She did not win the show but built up a very wide fanbase who Grimmie loved to perform for, a fanbase who must be devastated at the loss of such a young artist. Such a tragedy likes this not only saddens me because Grimmie was so young and talented and had her whole life ahead of her, but it makes me think how sad it is that after this, it will be hard to feel safe at a venue ever again.
People, especially young people, go to concerts not only to see their favorite artist but tend to see concerts as a way of an escape from their everyday lives. I know from experience that I’m probably at my happiest while jumping around on a sticky venue floor while my favorite bands sing to me my favorite songs. It’s a place where you’re supposed to feel safe and happy and like nothing could possibly go wrong. I don’t blame the unarmed security for what happened to Grimmie. Security guards at a venue should be there to help the fans if they’re hurt or need to exit the venue and though they’re also there to protect the artist, it shouldn’t be to the extent of fighting off a gunman.
My thoughts and prayers are with Christina Grimmie’s family and I hope everyone can seek some refuge in the beautiful music she has left behind.
