Former NBA star Shawn Kemp’s trial is set to commence on Thursday, May 22, 2025, in Pierce County Superior Court, Tacoma, Washington. Kemp, a six-time All-Star known for his time with the Seattle Supersonics, faces a first-degree assault charge stemming from a shooting incident on March 8, 2023, in the Tacoma Mall parking lot.
Kemp, who transitioned to the cannabis industry after his basketball career, was involved in a confrontation that escalated to gunfire. On the day of the incident, police responded to reports of shots fired in the Tacoma Mall parking lot. Officers determined that Kemp and another individual had been engaged in a dispute, leading to Kemp allegedly firing multiple shots at the other driver’s vehicle.
Police reports indicate that Kemp’s vehicle was targeted in a theft earlier that morning, with a cell phone stolen from his car. Kemp tracked the phone’s location to the mall, where he encountered the alleged thief. Surveillance footage captured the moment Kemp arrived at the mall shortly after the phone’s tracking led him there. Court documents reveal that Kemp exited his vehicle with a backpack containing a firearm.
According to the evidence, Kemp fired at a Toyota 4Runner parked nearby, hitting the vehicle before exchanging words with its driver. The altercation ended when the driver of the Toyota sped away, and no injuries were reported during the incident. A shell casing linked to Kemp’s firearm was discovered at the scene, contributing to the evidence against him.
During police questioning, Kemp claimed he acted in self-defense, stating that he returned fire after being shot at. However, investigators noted that surveillance footage did not support his claims of being fired upon first. The probable cause statement filed by Tacoma police suggested inconsistencies in Kemp’s account, including a text message he sent prior to the incident indicating his aggressive intent.
Kemp, who was drafted by the Seattle Supersonics in 1989 and played 14 seasons in the NBA, opened a cannabis shop in Seattle’s Belltown neighborhood in 2020, expanding his business with a second location in SODO in 2023. He has since pled not guilty to the assault charges and was released without bail following his arraignment.
As the trial approaches, a jury pool of 100 potential jurors has been requested, and the proceedings are expected to last approximately three weeks. Kemp declined a plea deal offered by prosecutors, opting to contest the charges in court.
This trial not only addresses Kemp’s legal issues but also highlights the intersection of celebrity culture and the cannabis industry, as he continues to manage his business amidst the ongoing legal battle.
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