AEG Requests Grimmie Suit Dismissal

AEG Live is trying to get the wrongful death suit from slain singer Christina Grimmie’s family dismissed because the singer did not have a contract with the company.

Robb D. Cohen/Invision/AP, File – Christina Grimmie
“The Voice” Season 6 contestant Christina Grimmie performs as part of “The Voice Tour” at Cobb Energy Centre, in Atlanta.

Grimmie’s star was rising, as she had a popular YouTube channel and a third place turn on “The Voice” in 2014, but she was shot and killed by a deranged fan while signing autographs after a gig at The Plaza Live in Orlando June 10.

The family tried to previously sue AEG and Plaza Live owner the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra Plaza Foundation Inc., but the first complaint was dismissed earlier this year, with a window for the family to amend, WESH-TV reports.

Now, the family’s amended complaint says the companies failed to provide adequate security and seeks compensation for medical and funeral expenses, damages, and the income that Grimmie would have provided during her lifetime. The suit also claims that her brother Marcus suffered injury and permanent emotional damage after seeing his sister die, and tackling the gunman, who fatally shot himself after the singer, according to WESH-TV.

AEG has since filed a motion to dismiss, claiming that is had no contract with Grimmie, that the burden of security falls primarily on the venue, and that even Grimmie were under contract the suit was being filed in the wrong court, according to the Orlando Sentinel.

AEG said it was not promoting Grimmie’s “Before You Exit” tour, and was only promoting the June 10 show, and claims the plaintiffs had not demonstrated that there was an existing business relationship between the parties, the Sentinel reported.

There were unarmed security guards at the venue, but no metal detectors, according to WMFE.

AEG reps couldn’t be reached for comment at press time.