Former Seattle Sonic Shawn Kemp Faces Sentencing for Tacoma Mall Assault

Former Seattle SuperSonics star Shawn Kemp is scheduled to be sentenced for second-degree assault after pleading guilty to a 2023 shooting incident at the Tacoma Mall. Kemp fired shots at two men whom he accused of stealing items from his vehicle, claiming self-defense during the confrontation. Prosecutors characterize Kemp's actions as vigilante behavior that endangered bystanders and are recommending a nine-month county jail sentence with up to a year of community custody. Kemp's defense argues he poses no threat to the public, highlighting his lack of prior violent crime charges and his presence at the scene after the shooting, with the plea agreement allowing for no jail time to be requested. Surveillance footage and police reports contradict Kemp's account, noting that he had his phone at the time and had texted a warning before the shooting. Kemp, now a marijuana entrepreneur, has garnered community support, with some expressing concern over the potential jail sentence given his positive community contributions.