Former NBA Star Shawn Kemp Sentenced to 30 Days Home Confinement in 2023 Shooting Case
Former NBA forward Shawn Kemp, a six-time All-Star with a penchant for highlight-reel dunks, has been sentenced to 30 days of electronic home monitoring after previously pleading guilty to a charge of second-degree assault stemming from an incident in a Tacoma, Washington, parking lot in March 2023, per Peter Talbot of the The News Tribune.
In addition, Superior Court Judge Michael Schwartz has sentenced Kemp to a year of community custody and 240 hours of community service.
Kemp's attorney released the following statement:
TMZ Sports provided details from the original incident, which involved Kemp shooting at people inside a Toyota 4Runner.
"The case, of course, stemmed from an incident at a Tacoma shopping mall back in 2023, when Kemp was accused of firing a gun at two men who had allegedly stolen some of his items -- including a phone," the report noted.
"Kemp had at first pleaded not guilty and argued he was acting is 'self-defense.' But in May, he pleaded guilty to a lesser charge of assault in the second degree to close out the matter.
"Prosecutors had been seeking a sentence of nine months behind bars for Kemp. The ex-basketball player's attorneys argued he should receive no additional time."
Lauren Girgis of the Seattle Times also provided more information.
"None of the rounds fired by Kemp hit anyone, nor was he injured, according to court documents," she wrote.
"Kemp contends he acted in self-defense, returning fire after one of the men shot at him from inside the 4Runner, which fled the scene before Tacoma police arrived, court records show. When the vehicle was found abandoned in Federal Way five days later, an empty holster was found inside, but there was no gun."
Per Girgis, prosecutors stated there wasn't any evidence the men fired at Kemp first. The prosecutors also wanted Judge Schwartz to sentence Kemp to nine months in jail.
Former Seattle Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch was among nearly two dozen people who supported Kemp in person during Friday's sentencing, per Talbot.
Kemp, a three-time All-NBA player, was in the Association for 14 seasons (1989-2003). He played for the Seattle SuperSonics, Cleveland Cavaliers, Portland Trail Blazers and Orlando Magic, averaging 14.6 points and 8.4 rebounds per game.
Kemp is best known for his time on Seattle, where he and Gary Payton led the SuperSonics to great success, including the 1996 Western Conference title.
