LOS ANGELES (KTLA) โ Retired NBA legend Kobe Bryant died Sunday in a fiery helicopter crash along with four other people in Calabasas Sunday morning.
The news sent shockwaves online, with fans, athletes and celebrities taking to Twitter to mourn the beloved 41-year-old basketball superstar.
A large crowd also gathered outside Staples Center Sunday afternoon to mourn Bryant.
L.A. Mayor Eric Garcetti released a statement responding to Bryantโs death, saying the basketball โwill live forever in the heart of Los Angeles.โ
โKobe Bryant was a giant who inspired, amazed, and thrilled people everywhere with his incomparable skill on the court โ and awed us with his intellect and humility as a father, husband, creative genius, and ambassador for the game he loved,โ the mayor said.