Ex-basketball player Shawn Kemp admit to his involvement in a shooting incident that occurred in a parking lot during 2023.
Former basketball star Shawn Kemp admitted guilt to a second-degree assault charge in a Tacoma court on Tuesday. The incident, which occurred last March in a shopping mall parking lot, involved Kemp responding to an attempted burglary of his vehicle.
The Seattle Times reported that Kemp's attorney revealed he was responding to the theft of items from his truck, including keys to his business, a cellphone, documents, and sports memorabilia. Part of the stolen goods included game-worn jerseys belonging to former teammate Gary Payton and Kemp himself, as part of a charity fundraiser.
According to the defense's trial brief, Kemp followed the location of the stolen phone and traced it back to the Tacoma Mall. Upon arrival, he recognized the same Toyota 4Runner that had been involved in the earlier theft.
The brief further stated that when Kemp confronted the individuals in the 4Runner, one of them fired a shot at him. Kemp retaliated and discharged his firearm at the vehicle. However, police video footage showed that Kemp initiated the firing as soon as he left his car.
During the exchange, both the 4Runner and another vehicle sustained damage, but there were no reported injuries. The two men in the 4Runner, aged 39 and 35, have previous criminal records and are currently serving sentences in prison.
Originally charged with first-degree assault with a firearm enhancement, prosecutors amended Kemp's charges last week to include an additional first-degree assault count, also with a firearm enhancement, and a drive-by shooting charge.
However, following negotiations, Kemp accepted a plea deal and pleaded guilty to the lesser charge of second-degree assault. As part of the deal, Kemp will be banned from firearm possession and will be required to provide a DNA sample.
Typically, a second-degree assault sentence ranges from three to nine months in jail with an additional year of community custody. The prosecution has urged the judge to sentence Kemp to nine months in jail, a year in community custody, and to pay restitution.
According to Kemp's attorneys, the former Seattle SuperSonic intends to use this incident to emphasize the dangers of gun violence and act as a positive influence on young people. Kemp played 14 NBA seasons, eight of which were in Seattle. Sentencing is set for August 22.
The Seattle Times reported that the incident involving former basketball star Shawn Kemp, who admitted guilt to a second-degree assault charge, was connected to stolen sports memorabilia and personal items, including game-worn NBA jerseys, from his truck. In a trial brief, it was revealed that Kemp's retaliation during the encounter resulted in a drive-by shooting charge, but he accepted a plea deal for the lesser charge of second-degree assault, which typically carries a sentence of three to nine months in jail.
