Shawn Kemp #40, Power Forward and Center for the Seattle SuperSonics during the NBA Midwest Division basketball game against the Denver Nuggets on 22nd January 1994 at the McNichols Sports Arena, Denver, Colorado, United States. The Nuggets won the game 98 – 91. (Photo by Tim DeFrisco/Allsport/Getty Images)
Former NBA star Shawn Kemp has been hit with first-degree assault charges as a result of an altercation he was involved in last month, during which he was seen firing a gun in a parking lot.
We reported on the incident last month, as Kemp was arrested for what was described as a “drive-by shooting.” Footage later emerged of the former six-time NBA All-Star shooting his gun in a parking lot full of cars.
The former SuperSonic star was released after his arrest, as authorities in Washington felt they needed more time to investigate. But after more than a month of looking into the incident, they’ve decided to charge Kemp for first-degree assault, which could carry a life sentence.
Shawn Kemp has been charged with first-degree assault for firing his gun during a parking lot altercation last month. The NBA great says it was self-defense. https://t.co/jUherLQYWT
— TMZ Sports (@TMZ_Sports) April 14, 2023
Kemp denies any wrongdoing, claiming he was acting in self-defense. According to TMZ, his attorney has even confirmed that their client will not be pleading guilty and they plan to fight these charges in court.
Kemp was taken by the Seattle SuperSonics with the 17th overall pick in the 1989 NBA Draft. He spent eight seasons in Seattle, leading the team to the 1996 NBA Finals, where they lost to Michael Jordan’s Chicago Bulls.
He averaged 14.6 points and 8.6 rebounds throughout his 14 year career, which also saw him spend time with the Cleveland Cavaliers, Portland Trail Blazers and Orlando Magic.
