sports and game - In a significant development in the high-profile case involving former NBA superstar Shawn Kemp, Pierce County Superior Court Judge Michael Schwartz handed down a sentence that allows the basketball l...
egend to avoid jail time, instead mandating 30 days of electronic home monitoring for his role in a March 2023 shooting incident.
The sentencing, which took place in Tacoma, Washington, marks the conclusion of a complex legal battle that began when Kemp was involved in a shooting at a mall parking lot. The former Seattle SuperSonics star, who played in the NBA from 1989 to 2003, must also complete 240 hours of community service and serve one year under Department of Corrections supervision.
The case stems from an incident where Kemp, acting in what he claimed was self-defense, fired shots at two men in a Toyota 4Runner at the Tacoma Mall. The events leading to the shooting revealed a deeper story - Kemp was allegedly pursuing individuals who had stolen his truck, cellphone, and valuable memorabilia in Seattle.
Court documents detail how Kemp used a phone-tracking app to locate his stolen property, leading to the confrontation at the mall. The defense successfully argued that the occupants of the 4Runner were the initial aggressors, with one firing first at Kemp, who then returned fire in an attempt to disable the vehicle.
The judge's decision to impose a lighter sentence than the prosecution's recommended nine months in jail reflects the unique circumstances of the case and Kemp's otherwise clean record. The former NBA star's immediate reaction - looking skyward and making the sign of the cross - demonstrated his relief at avoiding incarceration.
The hearing was attended by approximately 30 supporters, including former NFL star Marshawn Lynch and Kemp's pastor, highlighting the continued community support for the former basketball star. Following the sentencing, Kemp expressed his commitment to becoming an advocate against gun violence, particularly focusing on youth education.
The sentencing, which took place in Tacoma, Washington, marks the conclusion of a complex legal battle that began when Kemp was involved in a shooting at a mall parking lot. The former Seattle SuperSonics star, who played in the NBA from 1989 to 2003, must also complete 240 hours of community service and serve one year under Department of Corrections supervision.
The case stems from an incident where Kemp, acting in what he claimed was self-defense, fired shots at two men in a Toyota 4Runner at the Tacoma Mall. The events leading to the shooting revealed a deeper story - Kemp was allegedly pursuing individuals who had stolen his truck, cellphone, and valuable memorabilia in Seattle.
Court documents detail how Kemp used a phone-tracking app to locate his stolen property, leading to the confrontation at the mall. The defense successfully argued that the occupants of the 4Runner were the initial aggressors, with one firing first at Kemp, who then returned fire in an attempt to disable the vehicle.
The judge's decision to impose a lighter sentence than the prosecution's recommended nine months in jail reflects the unique circumstances of the case and Kemp's otherwise clean record. The former NBA star's immediate reaction - looking skyward and making the sign of the cross - demonstrated his relief at avoiding incarceration.
The hearing was attended by approximately 30 supporters, including former NFL star Marshawn Lynch and Kemp's pastor, highlighting the continued community support for the former basketball star. Following the sentencing, Kemp expressed his commitment to becoming an advocate against gun violence, particularly focusing on youth education.