Home monitoring ordered for ex-NBA star Shawn Kemp in 2023 parking-lot shooting
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TACOMA, Wash. — Former NBA forward Shawn Kemp was sentenced Friday to 30 days of electronic home monitoring for opening fire on two men in a mall parking lot in March 2023.
Pierce County Superior Court Judge Michael Schwartz imposed the sentence after concluding that the circumstances justified keeping the six-time All-Star out of jail. Kemp must start monitoring within two weeks, serve one year under state Department of Corrections supervision, and complete 240 hours of community service.
Prosecutors had requested nine months behind bars, a year of supervision and restitution. Instead, Schwartz ruled that Kemp’s actions followed provocation, noting that the two men had previously taken the 54-year-old’s truck, cellphone and sports memorabilia.
No injuries were reported in the shooting outside Tacoma Mall. Kemp pleaded guilty to a single assault charge in May as part of a plea agreement.
Self-defense argument accepted
According to court filings, Kemp used a phone-tracking app to follow his stolen device to the mall. When he confronted the occupants of a Toyota 4Runner, a passenger fired a shot at him. Kemp returned fire, attempting to disable the vehicle, which sped away. Police later recovered the SUV with an empty holster inside but no firearm.
In court, Kemp exhaled sharply and made the sign of the cross after hearing the sentence. “The last three years have been tough,” he told reporters afterward, adding that he intends to advocate against gun violence among youth. “Think twice when you get mad,” he said.
Support and career background
About 30 supporters, including Kemp’s pastor and former NFL running back Marshawn Lynch, attended the hearing, and several letters of support were submitted to the court.
Kemp entered the NBA in 1989 with the Seattle SuperSonics and remained with the franchise until 1997. He later played for the Cleveland Cavaliers, Portland Trail Blazers and Orlando Magic, earning a reputation for high-flying dunks during a 14-year career.
Source: ESPN
