Source: Jane Gershovich / Getty
Former NBA star Shawn Kemp is back in the spotlight after admitting his involvement in a shooting from years ago near a mall in Washington state, according to the Seattle Times.
Kemp explains that several things were stolen out of his truck while he and some of the workers at a Seattle cannabis dispensary he owns were at a concert. Among the stolen items were keys to the dispensary, one of the employees’ purses, sports memorabilia, including a game-worn Sonics Gary Payton jersey, and Kemp’s iPhone.
So Kemp tracked his phone and learned it was located in the parking lot of the Emerald Queen Casino. When the retired NBA player approached a Toyota 4Runner where he thought his stolen phone was, the suspect drove away, dumping some of the stolen goods out of the window. However, the alleged thief still had Kemp’s phone, so he tracked it again and ended up near the Tacoma Mall. So he approached the car when a suspect shot him, and he returned fire.
Police records show that a witness saw the altercation and called the cops to report that two men were shooting at each other in the mall parking lot. Days later, authorities found the 4Runner, which Yahoo reports was also stolen, ditched, with an empty gun holster inside.
No one was injured, but Kemp was initially charged with first-degree assault with a firearm, and last week, prosecutors later added a second count of first-degree assault and a drive-by shooting charge. But on Tuesday, he pleaded guilty to second-degree assault in Pierce County Superior Court, which could help him avoid a lengthy prison sentence.
Prosecutors are recommending that the six-time all-star serve nine months in jail, one year of community custody, and pay restitution, but the details will be finalized at the sentencing in August.
Arguing that the shooting was still an act of self-defense, Kemp’s attorney, Tim Leary, is glad he can avoid a long jail stint and move on.
“Shawn is committed to moving forward in a positive direction,” Leary told the Seattle Times. “He was presented with an offer from the state that allows him to take responsibility, but I think also recognizes the self-defense nature of how this transpired.”
See social media’s reaction to the ruling below.
