Former NBA All-Star Shawn Kemp pleaded guilty Tuesday to second-degree assault in a 2023 shooting incident outside Tacoma Mall, Washington, avoiding trial as part of a plea agreement.
Kemp, 55, entered the plea in Pierce County Superior Court following a March 2023 altercation where he shot at two men in a Toyota 4Runner during a dispute involving stolen property. No one was injured, though both vehicles were damaged.
Originally charged with first-degree assault with a firearm enhancement, Kemp faced additional counts of assault and drive-by shooting before reaching the deal.
Prosecutors recommended a sentence of nine months in jail, one year of post-release supervision, and restitution.
According to court filings, the incident began when Kemp’s truck was broken into during a Seattle event. Items stolen included keys to his cannabis dispensary, a cellphone, and sports memorabilia.
A phone tracking app led him to confront the suspects near a casino and later at Tacoma Mall, where an exchange of gunfire reportedly occurred.
Documents say a man in the back of the 4Runner fired first, prompting Kemp to return fire in an attempt to disable the vehicle. The 4Runner fled and was later found abandoned. Police recovered an empty holster but no firearm.
Though one witness reported both parties were armed, the prosecution cited credibility issues with witnesses and the illegal possession of Kemp’s property by the suspects as factors in resolving the case outside court.
As part of the plea, Kemp must forfeit his right to own firearms and submit a DNA sample to law enforcement.
Kemp, a six-time NBA All-Star, spent most of his career with the Seattle SuperSonics before stints in Cleveland, Portland and Orlando. He declined to comment Tuesday.
His attorney, Tim Leary, stated Kemp accepted the deal to take responsibility while highlighting the self-defense nature of the incident.
Sentencing is scheduled for August.
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