Photos: Lakers fans mourn Kobe Bryant

Gabriel Rivas, front, chanted outside Staples Center at a memorial for Lakers legend Kobe Bryant Sunday. Bryant, the 18-time NBA All-Star who won five championships and became one of the greatest basketball players of his generation during a 20-year career with the Los Angeles Lakers, died in a helicopter crash Sunday.Michael Owen Baker/Associated Press

After news broke that former Los Angeles Lakers star Kobe Bryant and his 13-year-old daughter Gianna were among nine people killed in a helicopter crash in Calabasas, Calif., on Sunday morning, thousands of Lakers fans gathered outside the Staples Center to memorialize the 18-time NBA All-Star.

The Grammy Awards were taking place at Staples Center, the arena where Bryant led the Lakers to five NBA titles. Alicia Keys and Boyz II Men kicked off the ceremony with a touching tribute to the victims of the crash.

Here are some photos of the scene in Los Angeles:

Keith Birmingham/Associated Press

Keith Birmingham/Associated Press

Michael Owen Baker/Associated Press

Michael Owen Baker/Associated Press

Michael Owen Baker/Associated Press

Kevin Winter/Getty Images for The Recording Academy

Michael Owen Baker/FR171390 AP via AP

FREDERIC J. BROWN/AFP via Getty Images

FREDERIC J. BROWN/AFP via Getty Images

FREDERIC J. BROWN/AFP via Getty Images