Former The Voice finalist Christina Grimmie was unforgettable and "an incredible talent and incredible person," NBC show host Carson Daly said about the late singer, who was shot dead at age 22.
Grimmie, who placed third in season six of the series and was also a YouTube star, was gunned down by an unidentified assailant at a concert in Orlando, Florida Friday. Her brother tackled the shooter but was unable to stop him. The shooter later shot and killed himself. Police are still investigating the killing.
The Voice host Carson Daly talked about Grimmie's death via phone on NBC's Today show Saturday.
"I just think we're all still in shock," he said. "We're just so saddened by the news of Christina, who is such an incredible talent and incredible person. It still seems so fresh...I mean it's just, it's just so sad, so young. And this was a girl—people say this phrase a lot, of you know, 'So-and-so was a nice person, such a sweet person'—but Christina really was."
"She was special,' he added. "I mean, she really was special. She would walk in a room and she had an infectious laugh. She was determined, she was confident but she was so incredibly sweet. You would never forget meeting her. I'm shocked she didn't actually win season six."
Josh Kaufman, who won the season, tweeted, "My deepest and most sincere condolences go out to the family of @TheRealGrimmie. Such a tragic loss."
Jake Worthington, who came in second place, wrote on Instagram before Grimmie died, "I can't even fathom the possibility of why someone would ever try to hurt this wonderful soul... A talent, a voice that needs to be heard and embraced across this world... I was lucky enough to hear and listen and meet her."
"And as a show, we're thinking about her mom and her dad and her brother, who I know was so heroic last night," Daly said on the Today show. "It's tough...and another senseless loss to gun violence."
He also posted several tweets mourning Grimmie.
"So sad about @TheRealGrimmie. I'm still in shock. She was special. Had IT. Talented. Kind. Funny. Loving. Courageous. We hurt w her family," he wrote.
"Our artists & families is my territory on #theVoice. I take great pride. Knowing them. Hosting them. Supporting them. It's not TV. It's real," he added. "@TheRealGrimmie has an amazing family who I have the great pleasure of knowing. Their faith is strong & we pray for them today and always."