Thousands of overwhelmed fans mourning the death of Kobe Bryant gathered Sunday, Jan. 26, outside Staples Center and LA Live in downtown, despite police asking them to to stay away from the venue, which was closed to the public as it hosts the Grammys award show.
The chant,”Kobe-Kobe-Kobe” could be heard from the gathering crowd as a floral arrangement was carried through the throng in the afternoon.
The center is home to the Los Angeles Lakers, and the likely place to gather after news that basketball great Bryant, 41, his 13-year-old daughter Gianna, and seven others were killed in a helicopter crash Sunday morning on a remote hillside in Calabasas.
Bryant, an 18-time All-Star and five-time NBA champion, played his entire 20-year career with the Lakers.
One longtime Bryant fan, who was on his way to downtown to join the throng of other mourners, lamented the tragic loss Sunday of the NBA All-Star.
“After 10 years of trying we finally got a picture with Kobe,” said Jessie Avila, a resident of North Hollywood. “I used it to teach my son to never give up on your dreams.”
The crowd continued to grow, even as the Grammy Award nominees and show attendees arrived to the red carpet.
Near the scene of the crash in Calabasas, authorities were directing mourners to the area of Lost Hills and Las Virgenes roads, at Juan Batista de Anza Park in Calabasas.
MAP: The route of the helicopter flight
There, fan Ian Smith remembered being at the parade when the Lakers won their first of back-to-back championships with Bryant under Phil Jackson in 1999. “It was like the Pope was here.” Smith, 28, was inspired to star playing basketball that year, like many others in Los Angeles.
“People’s hearts are broken,” said Calabasas Mayor Alicia Weintraub before the first mourners arrived at the park. “I think its impacted everyone. I mean, Kobe Bryant was an institution.”
Fans also gathered at Bryant’s Mamba Sports Academy in Newbury Park. TMZ reported those aboard the helicopter were en route there for a basketball practice when the crash occurred.
The Grammy pre-telecast ceremony, where most of the awards are handed out, opened with a brief remembrance of NBA star Bryant, who was killed earlier in the day in a helicopter crash in California.
Referring to the arena where Bryant played for the LA Lakers, Interim Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason Jr. said, “Since we are in his house, I would ask you to join me in a moment of silence.”
Staff writers Eric Licas and Mindy Schauer and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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Staples Center, Kobe Bryant’s ‘house,’ becomes a place of mourning - LA Daily News
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