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Fans Pay Tribute To Kobe Bryant Across Los Angeles In Wake Of Lakers Legend's Death
Flowers and tributes are left at a makeshift memorial for former NBA player Kobe Bryant outside the Staples Center. (Rachel Luna/Getty Images)
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As news of Kobe Bryant's death continues to shock and sadden fans around the world, makeshift memorials for the Lakers legend have popped up across Los Angeles.
STAPLES CENTER
Outside the Staples Center, hundreds of fans have gathered to pay tribute to Bryant.
"Can't believe this is happening," said Petey Reina, a Lakers fan who showed up to L.A. Live with a big, framed portrait of Bryant. "It's a sad day for basketball and the world."
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'Kobe' and 'Gigi' are spelled out in rose petals at a makeshift memorial for the Lakers legend and his 13-year-old daughter, who died in a helicopter crash near Calabasas. (Chava Sanchez/LAist)
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Candles, rose petals and other forms of tributes for Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna. (Chava Sanchez/LAist)
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Fans mourn the death of Kobe Bryant at L.A. Live. (Chava Sanchez/LAist)
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Kona Tomba and her mother Olive Carter say they've been following Kobe Bryant for his entire career. They gave up their birthday dinner Sunday evening to be at L.A. Live on Sunday after learning of Bryant's death. They said Kobe represented what the city should be -- it didn't matter if you're white or black or brown, he connected people, they said. (Chava Sanchez/LAist)
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Flowers at a memorial for Kobe Bryant outside the Staples Center at L.A. Live. (Chava Sanchez/LAist)
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Allen and Luz Ceja joined the mourners at L.A. Live with purple and gold flowers. (Chava Sanchez/LAist)
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Fans gather at L.A. Live outside the Staples Center hours after the death of Lakers legend Kobe Bryant. (Chava Sanchez/LAist)
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Hundreds of fans outside the Staples Center in the wake of Kobe Bryant's death. (Chava Sanchez/LAist)
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Fans gather mourn the death of Kobe Bryant at L.A. Live. (Chava Sanchez/LAist)
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Adrian Ceja said he was shocked to learn of Kobe Bryant's death, grew up watching Bryant play basketball. (Chava Sanchez/LAist)
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A makeshift memorial for Kobe Bryant at L.A. Live (Frederic J. Brown/AFP via Getty Images)
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People gather around a makeshift memorial at L.A. Live for former NBA and Los Angeles Lakers player Kobe Bryant after learning of his death (Frederic J. Brown/AFP via Getty Images)
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A man lays down flowers at L.A. Live. (Frederic J. Brown/AFP via Getty Images)
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A makeshift memorial for former NBA and Los Angeles Lakers player Kobe Bryant is pictured after learning of his death at LA Live plaza in front of Staples Center in Los Angeles on January 26, 2020. (Frederic J. Brown/AFP via Getty Images)
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HOLLYWOOD
In Hollywood, fans laid gold letters reading "RIP Kobe Bryant" in a vacant star on the Walk of Fame. Sticky notes adorned a mural of Bryant on the side of a Shoe Palace store on Melrose Avenue as flowers and candles sit on the sidewalk below. Fans also showed up at UCLA Health Training Center where the Lakers train.
Fans are seen at a memorial started next to a mural of Kobe Bryant on Melrose Avenue. (Rodin Eckenroth/Getty Images)
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A fan is seen at a memorial started next to a mural of Kobe Bryant on Melrose Avenue. (Rodin Eckenroth/Getty Images)
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A fan is seen taking a photo next to a mural of Kobe Bryant on Melrose Avenue. (Rodin Eckenroth/Getty Images)
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Fans create a 'RIP Kobe Bryant' star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in an empty star. (Rodin Eckenroth/Getty Images)
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Outside the UCLA Health Training Center, where the Los Angeles Lakers train. (Rodin Eckenroth/Getty Images)
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Bryant, 41, was among passengers and a pilot killed a helicopter crash Sunday morning in Calabasas. Bryant's 13-year-old daughter, Gianna, was also aboard. Orange Coast College in Costa Mesa confirmed that its head baseball coach, John Altobelli, was killed in the crash.
L.A. County Sheriff Alex Villanueva said at an afternoon news conference that nine peoplewere on the flight manifest. He said he would not confirm the identities any of the victims until the coroner has identified family members.
MORE KOBE BRYANT COVERAGE
ESSAY: 'I Am Straight Up In Tears Right Now.' Why Kobe Bryant's Death Hurts So Much
Lakers Legend Kobe Bryant And Teen Daughter Among Nine People Killed In Helicopter Crash
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