The Voice US contestant Christina Grimmie shot dead

Former The Voice contestant, 22 year old Christina Grimmie has been shot dead while signing autographs after a live show in Orlando, Florida.

The shocking news was confirmed by Heather Walsh, a publicist for Grimmie, in an email saying “we can confirm that Christina has passed and went home to be with the Lord”.

Grimmie had performed earlier at The Plaza Live with the band Before You Exit and was signing autographs for fans when an unidentified gunman “walked up and shot” the singer said police.

The singer’s brother has been credited by police for preventing the gunman from hurting others after immediately tackling the shooter who shot and killed himself amid the struggle. Grimmie died later in hospital.

In a tweet Saturday night at 11.51pm Australian eastern time Orlando’s police stated “With deep regret, we have confirmed Christina Grimmie, @TheRealGrimmie has died from her injuries.”