Shaun Kemp receives sentencing for 2023 gun arrest

Shawn Kemp was sentenced to 30 days of electronic home monitoring after firing a gun in a Tacoma shopping mall parking lot in March 2023.

The six-time NBA All-Star is required to begin home monitoring within two weeks, serve one year of state supervision and complete 240 hours of community service, according to the Seattle Times. 

Kemp pleaded guilty in May to second-degree assault, admitting that he shot at two men inside a Toyota 4Runner after they broke into his truck and stole numerous items, including keys to his business, a cellphone, paperwork and sports memorabilia.

Kemp then followed the location of the phone to track down the thief who was driving the stolen 4Runner.

He allegedly returned fire after one of the men began firing a gun toward him.

Kemp was initially charged with a count of first-degree assault with a firearm enhancement, and had second-degree assault, firearm enhancement and drive-by shooting charges added in May.

“Shawn is committed to moving forward in a positive direction,” Kemp’s attorney Tim Leary said earlier this summer. “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.”

The prosecution had been urging the judge to sentence him to nine months in jail, one year in community custody and to pay restitution.

“[Kemp’s] plan is to tell the community about the dangers of gun violence, really to be a positive influence on youth,” Aaron Kiviat, one of Kemp’s other attorneys, said.

Kemp spent 14 years in the NBA, retiring after the 2002-03 season. 

He had his best run with the Supersonics, making the 1996 NBA Finals and All-NBA second team three times during his time in Seattle.