Former Sonics legend Shawn Kemp charged in March shooting at Tacoma Mall

Former Seattle SuperSonics legend Shawn Kemp has been charged after an incident in March where Kemp allegedly fired a handgun in the parking lot at the Tacoma Mall, according to court documents.

On March 8, Tacoma police officers responded to a report of shots fired in the parking lot at the Tacoma Mall.

Arriving officers soon found a .357 caliber revolver that a witness said was tossed into bushes near the Firestone by a person that was involved in the shooting.

The witness also showed officers a video of the shooting which showed a tall Black man in red puffy vest firing shots.

The shooter was later detained by officers and identified as Shawn Kemp, according to court documents.

During an interview with police, Kemp said his car had been prowled earlier that morning while it was at the Showbox in Seattle.

Kemp said a cell phone was taken and he was able to track the phone to a location in Fife. When Kemp arrived at the Fife location, 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.

Kemp 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.

According to court documents, Kemp could not explain why he threw the gun into a bush.

Police searched Kemp’s other phone, where a detective found a message from Kemp that said, “I’m about to shoot this mf.”

Police also noted that Kemp never called 911.

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

Kemp was charged Friday with assault in the first degree. His first court appearance is scheduled for May 4.

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