Shawn Kemp pleads not guilty in connection to Tacoma Mall shooting

Update 5/4:

Former Sonics star Shawn Kemp appeared before a judge Thursday morning, where he pled not guilty to assault charges stemming from an incident at the Tacoma Mall.

Prosecutors say he fired a gun during an argument in the Tacoma Mall parking lot, March 8. Kemp’s attorney says it was self-defense as he tracked his stolen phone.

HAPPENING NOW: former Sonics star Shawn Kemp arrives in court.

He pleads not guilty to 1 charge of assault. Prosecutors say he fired a gun during an argument in Tacoma Mall parking lot March 8.

Kemp’s atty says it was self-defense as he tracked his stolen phone. pic.twitter.com/oqrXb6bxrA

— Sam Campbell (@HeySamCampbell) May 4, 2023

The judge orders he not leave King, Pierce, Thurston and Kitsap Counties unless it’s for business.

Kemp is set to be arraigned in mid-July.

Original 4/14:

Former Seattle Sonics star Shawn Kemp has been charged in connection with an incident in March at the Tacoma Mall where he allegedly fired a handgun.

According to court documents, Kemp was charged with one count of first-degree assault. His first court appearance is scheduled for May 4.

On March 8, officers found a .357 caliber revolver after reports of shots fired at the mall.

Witnesses on the scene showed police a video of the shooting which showed a tall Black man in a red puffy vest firing shots.

The shooter was later detained by officers and identified as Kemp.

Shawn Kemp’s attorneys claim he acted in self defense in Tacoma shooting

He told police that his car had been prowled earlier that morning while it was at the Showbox in Seattle. Kemp never called 911.

He said a cell phone was taken and he was able to track the phone to a location in Fife.

When Kemp arrived in Fife, he asked people in a silver SUV if they had the items that were stolen from him.

The SUV left the area, but Kemp was able to ping the stolen phone again, which led him to the parking lot at the Tacoma Mall.

According to court documents, Kemp said he had retreated to his car after he was shot at, and a video recorded him firing back. However, police said the video showed Kemp firing as soon as got out of his car.

He said when he approached the SUV with his stolen phone — the rear passenger window came down and a single shot was fired at him.

Kemp said that’s when he retreated to his car and fired two shots back.

The SUV was later found in Federal Way, four days later. It had been reported stolen.