Former NBA star Shawn Kemp was arrested Wednesday after a drive-by shooting in Tacoma, Wash.
Kemp, a six-time All-Star with the Seattle SuperSonics and Cleveland Cavaliers, was booked into the Pierce County Jail on suspicion of drive-by shooting, a felony. According to the Pierce County Legal Information Network Exchange, the charge is “not necessarily” the charge under which Kemp was originally booked.
According to the Tacoma Police Department’s account of the events that led to Kemp’s arrest, “an altercation between the occupants of two cars led to shots being fired.”
At 1:58 pm, an altercation between the occupants of 2 cars led to shots being fired at a parking lot in the 4500 blk of S. Steele St. One car fled. No injuries were reported. A gun was recovered. A 53-yr-old male was booked for Drive-By Shooting. The investigation is ongoing. pic.twitter.com/XTIeU1I4Jj
— Tacoma Police Department (@TacomaPD) March 9, 2023
According to multiple media reports, including by The (Tacoma) News Tribune, the shooting took place in the parking lot of Tacoma Mall. Kemp was booked into the county jail at 5:58 p.m. PT (8:58 p.m. ET), four hours after the incident.
Fox 13 News in Seattle has reported that sources close to Kemp say the shooting was in self-defense. Here’s more from Fox 13:
Sources close to Kemp told FOX 13’s David Rose that he had property stolen from his car on Tuesday, tracked his iPhone to Tacoma on Wednesday and when he approached the vehicle, a suspect shot at him. He fired back in self-defense
ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported on the details of Kemp’s arrest. Updates on Kemp’s legal status will be provided as they become available.
Shawn Kemp age
Kemp is 53. He was born Nov. 26, 1969.
While he has a son with the same name, Kemp’s age is the main descriptor that clarifies that he is a suspect in the drive-by shooting. Kemp retired from the NBA in 2003 at 33.
Shawn Kemp legal history
In 2005, Kemp was arrested in Shoreline, Wash., on suspicion of drug possession. The King’s County Sherriff’s Office said Kemp and another man were found with a small amount of cocaine, about 60 grams of marijuana and a semiautomatic pistol.
Kemp was arrested again in 2006 on suspicion of drug possession after he was found with less than 2 ounces of marijuana during a traffic stop in Houston.
Shawn Kemp NBA career
Kemp, the No. 17 overall pick in the 1989 NBA Draft, spent 14 years in the league with the SuperSonics, Cavaliers, Portland Trail Blazers and Orlando Magic.
He earned six consecutive All-Star appearances from 1993-98 and three straight All-NBA Second Team selections beginning in the 1993-94 season.
After retiring in 2003, Kemp has had a residence in Seattle. He has ventured into the cannabis business with two dispensaries.