Former NBA star Shawn Kemp has been sentenced to 30 days of electronic home monitoring for a 2023 parking lot shooting incident in Washington state, where he claimed self-defense after men stole his belongings and shot at him. The sentence, handed down on August 22, 2025, avoids jail time and includes community service and supervision, marking a resolution to a case that began over two years ago.
Shawn Kemp, a six-time NBA All-Star known for his high-flying dunks during his career with teams like the Seattle SuperSonics, Cleveland Cavaliers, Portland Trail Blazers, and Orlando Magic, is the central figure in this case. Now 55 years old, Kemp pleaded guilty to an assault charge in May 2025 as part of a plea agreement, following the shooting incident that involved two men in a vehicle.
Kemp was sentenced to 30 days of electronic home monitoring, one year of state Department of Corrections supervision, and 240 hours of community service for shooting at two men inside a Toyota 4Runner in a mall parking lot. The sentencing came after prosecutors had recommended nine months in jail, but Judge Michael Schwartz of Pierce County Superior Court opted for a lesser penalty, considering the circumstances of the crime.
The sentencing occurred on Friday, August 22, 2025, at Pierce County Superior Court in Tacoma, Washington. The original shooting incident took place in March 2023, and Kemp pleaded guilty in May 2025, with the case concluding with this sentencing.
The events unfolded in Tacoma, Washington, specifically at the Tacoma Mall parking lot where the shooting occurred, and the legal proceedings were handled at the Pierce County Superior Court. The location is significant as it ties to Kemp’s history with the Seattle area, where he gained fame as a basketball player.
The shooting was provoked by the theft of Kemp’s truck, cellphone, and memorabilia by the two men involved. Kemp tracked his phone using an app, confronted the men, and claimed they shot at him first, leading him to return fire in self-defense. The judge agreed that the men’s actions provoked the incident, influencing the sentencing decision.
After his belongings were stolen, Kemp located the vehicle using a phone-tracking app and confronted the driver at a casino parking lot. Later, at the Tacoma Mall, he spotted the same vehicle and expressed frustration, at which point a man in the back seat fired a handgun at Kemp. Kemp returned fire but did not hit anyone, and the vehicle fled. The 4Runner was found abandoned days later with an empty holster, but no gun was recovered.
No one was injured in the shooting, but the case has legal and personal repercussions for Kemp, including the sentence and his stated intention to become an advocate against gun violence, particularly among youth. The incident has also drawn attention due to Kemp’s celebrity status, with support from community members and figures like former NFL star Marshawn Lynch attending the hearing.
Kemp must begin his home monitoring within two weeks and complete the community service and supervision requirements. He plans to use his experience to promote anti-violence messages, emphasizing the importance of thinking twice before acting in anger. This sentencing closes the criminal case, but Kemp’s advocacy efforts may influence broader discussions on gun violence and celebrity involvement in social issues.