NBA legend and six-time All-Star Shawn Kemp was arrested on Wednesday in connection with a drive-by shooting in the Tacoma, Washington, area.
Kemp was booked on a felony charge of drive-by shooting, online jail records show, tied to this incident Tweeted about by the Tacoma Police Department.
At 1:58 pm, an altercation between the occupants of 2 cars led to shots being fired at a parking lot in the 4500 blk of S. Steele St. One car fled. No injuries were reported. A gun was recovered. A 53-yr-old male was booked for Drive-By Shooting. The investigation is ongoing. pic.twitter.com/XTIeU1I4Jj
— Tacoma Police Department (@TacomaPD) March 9, 2023
However, on Thursday Kemp was released from jail without being charged, with the Pierce County Prosecutor’s Office telling the Associated Press “it would not file charges pending further investigation.”
Kemp’s attorney said there was not a drive-by shooting but rather Kemp being shot at while trying to retrieve his phone, then returning fire in self-defense. Kemp’s attorney released this statement (via Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN).
Attorney Scott Boatman statement on his client Shawn Kemp: pic.twitter.com/2slkabXWl8
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) March 9, 2023
Kemp is best remembered for his years with Seattle SuperSonics (1989 to 1997), where the “Reign Man” displayed exceptional athleticism and threw down thunderous dunks. He also played for Cleveland, Portland and Orlando.
