On June 10, 2016, 22-year-old singer Christina Grimmie was fatally shot and killed during an autograph signing after a concert in Orlando, Florida. She rose to a good amount of fame from performing covers on YouTube and then later competing on "The Voice," coached by "Maroon 5" singer Adam Levine. She finished third on her season.
I had never heard of Christina until after her murder flooded my newsfeed on Facebook. Horribly, senselessly and suddenly she was shot and killed by a gunman who then shot himself. She was shot three times before her brother, who acted as her security guard, tackled him and the shooter ended up shooting himself. Orlando police department reported that he had no prior record, did not know Christina and seemingly traveled from St. Petersburg to commit this crime. He was armed with two handguns, two extra magazines of ammunition and a hunting knife.
A fan who stood behind the gunman during the meet-and-greet line noted that Christina greeted him with open arms, like she would an old friend, before he opened fire. It is thought that the death count would have been much higher had Marcus Grimmie, her brother, not thrown himself on top of Kevin James Loibl.
It was also reported that The Plaza Live, the venue in which Grimmie performed that evening, had shockingly low means of security stating "purses and backpacks were typically checked but there are no metal detectors." It was not stated, but I am assuming that there were also no pat-downs of guests before entering.
As someone who loves live music and tries to attend as many concerts as I can in my free time, I can attest that this is not an uncommon trend. Typically I don't carry anything with me at a concert that cannot fit in my pockets, but security is usually extremely relaxed. I don't ever remember being at a concert that recalled me being pat down, my jacket being checked, a metal detector being walked through or one of the wands being used, etc. Only one concert I have been to resulted in a bag check – a summer alternative festival tour hosted by Vans, called Warped Tour. My bag was peered in but nothing was moved around or searched for.
Christina Grimmie died senselessly and I wholeheartedly believe it could have been prevented. Should music venues across the country decide to implement thorough bag checks, pat downs or invest in the metal detector wands to wave over people, I think this could be prevented in the future.
Do I want going to a concert to be like going through TSA at the airport? No, I'm not asking for cavity checks and strip downs. But I am asking for something. I am asking for something that will prevent a man from walking into a venue with two handguns, extra magazines and a hunting knife and gunning down a young woman who greeted him with open arms, having no clue that she was about to be murdered.
I understand that running a business is hard, it isn't always extremely profitable. However, security and decent security needs to be figured into the budget just like the water or power bill. You are not only protecting patrons, but you are protecting your business and reputation. Isn't that worth the extra money and extra time that it will take to search people as they come in?
If Kevin Loibl had had a metal detection wand scanned over him, he wouldn't have been able to set foot in that venue, and Christina Grimmie would be alive to see her next performance. Fans wouldn't have been traumatized, scattering like roaches when the lights are turned on after someone yelled out "Gun!" A brother wouldn't have had to tackle his sister's murderer. A family and fans world-wide wouldn't be mourning.
When will we acknowledge that all of the bad people in the world are not going to go away, and treat it seriously and protect ourselves and others? When are we going to take security at congested events seriously?
I am begging America to not let Christina Grimmie die in vain. Change. Recognize that there is a need for better security at congested, crowded events. Especially events where performers almost literally put targets on their backs by being so accessible. Especially when a lot of these events are held at venues that double as bars and alcohol is readily available.
Please, let there finally be change. Let people feel safe again at events, even if it is a few extra minutes at the door. A few extra minutes at the door is worth the safety and all of the lives in attendance being protected.
