Tacoma’s Shawn Kemp Avoids Prison in Shooting Case

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Tacoma, Washington, Former NBA star Shawn Kemp was sentenced on August 22, 2025, to 30 days of electronic home monitoring for a March 2023 shooting incident in a Tacoma mall parking lot. The sentence also includes one year of supervised release under the state Department of Corrections and 240 hours of community service. Kemp is expected to begin the monitoring within two weeks.

Kemp, a six-time All-Star who played primarily for the Seattle SuperSonics, pleaded guilty to second-degree assault in May 2025 as part of a plea agreement. Prosecutors had initially recommended a harsher penalty, which could have included up to nine months in jail, community corrections, and restitution. The plea deal allowed Kemp to avoid a full trial on the more serious charges.

Judge Michael Schwartz noted that the unusual circumstances of the case justified leniency. During the sentencing, Kemp appeared emotional, looked upward, exhaled deeply, and made the sign of the cross as the judge read the decision.

The incident began after Kemp attended a celebration with employees of his cannabis business. During that time, several items were stolen from his truck, including keys, a cell phone, important paperwork, a business purse, and valuable memorabilia such as game-worn jerseys from Kemp and Hall of Famer Gary Payton, which had been set aside for a charity auction.

Kemp reportedly tracked the stolen phone using an app and located the suspects’ vehicle, a Toyota 4Runner, first at a casino parking lot and later at Tacoma Mall. When he confronted the men in the mall parking lot, the encounter escalated. According to Kemp’s defense, one of the men fired at him first. Kemp then drew his weapon and returned fire. No injuries were reported, though bullets struck the 4Runner and another nearby car.

Police later found the suspects’ vehicle abandoned. Investigators did not recover a firearm, leaving some details of the exchange unclear. Kemp’s defense maintained that his actions were in self-defense.

At sentencing, Kemp expressed remorse and stated that the past three years had been among the most difficult of his life. He said he now intends to use his experience to speak out against gun violence and urged young people to think twice before acting in anger or bringing firearms into conflicts.

The courtroom was filled with supporters, including former NFL running back Marshawn Lynch and members of Kemp’s church and local community, highlighting his continued ties to the region and the support he maintains among fans and friends.

This resolution closes a case that initially involved charges of first-degree assault and drive-by shooting. By pleading guilty to a lesser count, Kemp avoided a lengthy prison sentence, instead remaining accountable through community service and home monitoring.