Shawn Kemp arrested for allegedly being involved in drive-by shooting: All you need to know

Former NBA player Shawn Kemp was arrested on Wednesday (March 8) for his involvement in an alleged drive-by shooting in Tacoma, Washington.

ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski first reported the news, citing Pierce Corrections Inmate listings in Washington. The Tacoma Police Department announced an altercation between two people from different cars that happened at around 1:58 p.m.

Shots were fired, and one car fled the scene. Fortunately, no injuries occurred, and a gun was recovered. It was noted that a 53-year-old make was booked for the drive-by shooting. Kemp, who retired from the NBA in 2003, is 53.

Adrian Wojnarowski

@wojespn

According to the Pierce (Wash.) Corrections Inmate listings, six-time NBA All-Star Shawn Kemp -- a legendary member of the Seattle Sonics -- has been booked in an alleged drive-by shooting. twitter.com/TacomaPD/statu…

Tacoma Police Department

@TacomaPD

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.

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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. https://t.co/XTIeU1I4Jj

According to the Pierce (Wash.) Corrections Inmate listings, six-time NBA All-Star Shawn Kemp -- a legendary member of the Seattle Sonics -- has been booked in an alleged drive-by shooting. twitter.com/TacomaPD/statu…

Kemp was also previously arrested in 2005 and 2006 for drug possession charges. He was arrested in Shoreline, Washington in 2005 and pleaded guilty to drug charges. His 2006 arrest took place in Houston, Texas, where he was charged with misdemeanor marijuana possession.

A known cannabis user, Kemp started a cannabis dispensary company in Seattle. The company was called Shawn Kemp's Cannabis, and it opened on October 2020, with former Seattle SuperSonics teammate Gary Payton in attendance.

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Shawn Kemp career in restrospect

Gary Payton and Shawn Kemp

Shawn Kemp electrified the crowd during his NBA career that spanned from 1989 to 2003. Kemp was drafted 17th overall by the Seattle SuperSonics in the 1989 NBA draft. He was a five-time All-Star in Seattle and helped the Sonics make the 1996 NBA Finals.

After eight seasons in Seattle, Kemp was traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers in 1997. He was a one-time All-Star for the Cavaliers, but he was plagued with weight issues and questions about his work ethic.

Kemp was traded to the Portland Trail Blazers in 2000 after three seasons in Cleveland. However, Kemp was not the same explosive player he once was. He was a bench player in Portland for two years before finishing his career with the Orlando Magic in the 2002-03 NBA season.

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