The online community reacted with horror and heartbreak over the weekend when Christina Grimmie — a 22-year-old songstress who rose to fame after posting YouTube cover videos in 2009 — was fatally shot at a meet-and-greet after a concert on Friday evening in Orlando, Fla.
As the assault marks the first time that a YouTube creator has been killed during a meet-up with fans, the incident served as a harrowing wake-up call for many within the community. “My first email was to our security team at VidCon,” tweeted co-founder and organizer Hank Green. “We had already increased security plans from last year but are reviewing now.”
In light of the incident — as well as yet another shooting at a gay bar in Orlando early Sunday morning that claimed 50 lives and marks the deadliest mass shooting in U.S. history — the YouTube star Tyler Oakley made the difficult decision to postpone a book signing event. “I want so badly to just be brave,” he tweeted, “but this weekend has made me so scared. Meet-and-greets after a tour stop? Gay bars during Pride Month?” He explained in a lengthier note that he needed time to grieve. “I just won’t be able to give you the experience you deserve.”
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Others expressed their grief in YouTube videos. “This has always been a possibility. It’s happened before people became famous on the Internet,” commentator Phil DeFranco said of the senseless violence. “But what’s the alternative — to not do? To not go? To cower down in fear? No…That’s when bad wins.” Instead, DeFranco encouraged viewers to get out into the world in service of a greater good — much in the same way that Grimmie shared her gifts.
“How can a country that gets it right in so many ways get is so very wrong on gun control?” added Michael Buckley.
YouTube itself paid tribute to Grimmie over the weekend, sharing a playlist that showcased her “soulful covers and infectious personality,” while a GoFundMe page created by Grimmie’s manager in the wake of the loss to support her family — who “made the ultimate family sacrifice to support Christina on her musical journey” — has already raised a staggering $125,000.
Here are some more expressions of grief from the YouTube community at large:
May u not just #RIPChristina @TheRealGrimmie may u sparkle, shine, dance, sing & feel heaven’s joy & love bigger than we know here on Earth💖
— Kandee Johnson (@kandeejohnson) June 11, 2016
my heart is broken. I can’t even begin to express how devastated I am. rest in peace you amazing beautiful gifted girl. I love u so much. — Shane Dawson (@shanedawson) June 11, 2016
At a loss for words and absolutely sick to my stomach. So lucky to have had a friend so purely good and impossibly talented. #RIPChristina
— Sam Tsui (@SamuelTsui) June 11, 2016
So shocked, saddened & angry to hear about Christina Grimmie. What a tragic loss 😔 my thoughts are with her family, friends and fans ❤️ — Zoë (@Zoella) June 11, 2016
.@TheRealGrimmie was one of the first musicians I discovered on YouTube. Blown away by her talent, so sad to hear this news #RIPChristina
— Felix Kjellberg (@pewdiepie) June 11, 2016
