“Was Ja in the passenger seat” - NBA fans go in a frenzy following Shawn Kemp’s alleged involvement in a drive-by shooting

Former Seattle SuperSonics player Shawn Kemp found himself in a patch of trouble earlier on Wednesday. NBA fans were in shock when they heard the news of Kemp's arrest due to his alleged involvement in a drive-by shooting.

Shawn Kemp rose to a fair degree of infamy over the course of his NBA career. As a wildly talented and athletic forward, Kemp routinely served up some of the most ridiculous posters the basketball world has seen.

His aggressive and powerful style of play made him the ideal frontman for the Seattle Supersonics. Unfortunately, Kemp's lifestyle choices would eventually prevent him from rising to greatness.

After retiring from the NBA following the 2002-03 season, Kemp didn't come up on the news much. However, the SuperSonics player finds himself in a serious patch of trouble due to his alleged involvement in a drive-by shooting.

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 arrested and booked into Washington's Pierce County jail. Kemp was reportedly involved in a scuffle outside Tacoma Mall which led to shots being fired. However, the police are still investigating the situation.

News of Kemp's situation was shocking to say the least. With NBA fans sharing their reaction to the news, we take a look at some of the responses from fans on Twitter:

Thomas

@thomas_nannis

@RTNBA @wojespn He was in the passenger side

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@RTNBA @wojespn He was in the passenger side https://t.co/N23WH7V3h5

Shaun McKnight

@ShaunMcKnight

@wojespn If true, this news would be super SAD for me! Shawn Kemp was one of my favorite players as a kid!

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@wojespn If true, this news would be super SAD for me! 😢 Shawn Kemp was one of my favorite players as a kid!

Ron Harper

@HARPER04_5

@wojespn What's going on? This world is crazy

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@wojespn What's going on? This world is crazy

PonderThat! 🤔

@PonderThat4

@wojespn

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@wojespn https://t.co/w7gfAxhnHg

Silky

@bice_bice_baby_

@wojespn Shawn kemp was never known as a shooter

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@wojespn Shawn kemp was never known as a shooter

boredjesse

@boredjesse

@wojespn NBA Players when they want to make it on the news:

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@wojespn NBA Players when they want to make it on the news: https://t.co/NqqEbiOefk

V̷a̷t̷o̷r̷

@Vator_H_Town

@wojespn Shawn Kemp seeing all these pro athletes in the news for guns.

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@wojespn Shawn Kemp seeing all these pro athletes in the news for guns. https://t.co/mALHO3Q4gt

Cam

@Cam_S1990

@wojespn Ja & the Rainman in prison hoops:

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@wojespn Ja & the Rainman in prison hoops:

https://t.co/PuBu4Pgv28

NetsKingdom 👑🗽

@NetsKingdomAJ

@wojespn Shawn kemp told Ja

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@wojespn Shawn kemp told Ja 💀😂 https://t.co/BmpE82wvni

Terry Gomez

@TerryGomezLV

@wojespn 53 and doing drive-by's????

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@wojespn 53 and doing drive-by's????

LeCron

@lecrons

@wojespn Was ja in the passenger seat

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@wojespn Was ja in the passenger seat

SnB ❄⚡️

@DPOYDort

@wojespn Ja Morant, Shawn Kemp, and Karl Malone in the prison league

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@wojespn Ja Morant, Shawn Kemp, and Karl Malone in the prison league https://t.co/uknSdRJ0vQ

AustinWestmoore

@SirWestmoore

@wojespn Shawn Kemp way too old to be playing in these streets like this. *tsk tsk*

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@wojespn Shawn Kemp way too old to be playing in these streets like this. *tsk tsk*

Mike McDrizzy🥶

@FinzBoomBox

@RTNBA @wojespn Buddy saw the Ja news and said watch this lmfaoo

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@RTNBA @wojespn Buddy saw the Ja news and said watch this lmfaoo

Ezi

@DreamOwls_

@RTNBA @wojespn Shoulda kemp that 40tucked

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@RTNBA @wojespn Shoulda kemp that 40tucked

Details regarding Kemp's involvement in the shooting are yet to be disclosed. No injuries or casualties were reported. However, this is certainly a bad look for the 53-year-old.

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Shawn Kemp could see jail time

Former Seattle SuperSonics forward Shawn Kemp could face jail time for his actions if he is proven guilty. Considering that drive-by shootings are considered a class B felony in Washington, Kemp could be in jail for anywhere between a few months to a few years depending upon the severity.

The involvement of NBA players in gun-related crimes has not been a pleasant sight. Dating from older cases such as Gilbert Arenas' suspension for possession of firearms to Ja Morant's recent antics, the league has seen superstars rise to infamy for all the wrong reasons.

In Kemp's case, the SuperSonics forward already had a bad reputation due to his substance abuse problems. However, being arrested for a drive-by shooting, especially in light of Morant's recent actions, only exacerbates the whole situation.

Kemp, however, was fortunate in some ways. Since there were no injuries or casualties, the former star may not face a heavy sentence if found guilty. But the situation certainly doesn't favor him a whole lot.

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