ORLANDO, Fla., Dec. 22 (UPI) — The family of slain singer Christina Grimmie has filed a lawsuit against the concert promoter and owners of The Plaza Live following her death at the venue. According to Billboard, the suit filed Tuesday names AEG Live and the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra Plaza Foundation, which owns the Plaza Live where Grimmie was shot, along with the security company who was working the event.
Grimmie’s father, mother and brother allege that the company’s “failed to take adequate security measures to ensure the safety of the performers and the attendees at the concert venue,” and believe they should pay for medical and funeral services, “the future support and services Christina would have provided” and for the emotional distress caused by her death.
The family is seeking a jury trial.
The lawsuit states that Grimmie supported her family financially as they were involved in her career after moving to Los Angeles. Brother Marcus worked as her tour manager.
Grimmie was gunned down in June as she was signing autographs and selling merchandise following the concert in Orlando. The shooter, 27-year-old Kevin James Loibl, fatally shot himself after he was tackled to the ground by Marcus.
Loibl had been able to smuggle in two 9mm Glock handguns, two full magazines and a hunting knife with the lawsuit stating that only “superficial bag checks” were performed on attendees. “The death of Christina was caused by the negligent and culpable conduct of the defendants who failed to provide adequate security measures to protect Christina at the Plaza Live Theater on June 10, 2016,” it continues.
Grimmie’s father Mark in speaking with the Orlando Sentinel stated the family’s intention to also raise awareness about the level of security at concert venues. “I think it was really eye-opening because we know lots of artists that perform at venues that have no security at all. Now more than ever, they realize this could have been them or their family,” he said.
The attorney for the Grimmies, Brad Caplan, added that comprehensive security measures are vital for venues. “Doing the bag check serves what purpose if you’re not going to follow it up with a [metal detector] or a pat-down?” he said. “The facility has a no-gun policy … If you decide to do that, you’ve got to do the job right.”
Grimmie, 22, was known for competing on The Voice and finishing in third place during Season 6 after she was discovered on Youtube.
By Wade Sheridan
Source: upi.com
Be the first to comment