Law enforcement officers responded to reports of shots fired in an altercation between two vehicles on Wednesday, the Tacoma Police Department said.
On Wednesday, ex-NBA player Shawn Kemp was taken into custody and booked into a correctional facility in Washington state following his involvement in a drive-by shooting.
According to county records, Kemp was arrested and taken to Pierce County jail around 6 p.m. local time (9 p.m. ET) on a felony charge related to a drive-by shooting incident. Pierce County Sheriff’s Department spokesperson Darren Moss Jr. confirmed that the suspect was the former NBA star who had been selected for the All-Star team six times.
The Tacoma Police Department issued a statement indicating that officers had arrived at the scene just before 2 p.m. local time (5 p.m. ET) in response to reports of gunfire. One of the drivers had fired multiple shots at the other vehicle’s occupants before they left the area, according to police.
The authorities apprehended the suspect, who they identified only as a 53-year-old man, without any difficulties and detained him at a local jail. Law enforcement officials stated that they discovered a firearm at the site of the shooting.
A representative for the Tacoma Police Department declined to give additional details regarding the arrest.
Recorded footage showed an individual in a red vest jacket engaging in a dispute with someone else, who drove away as sirens sounded.
Another video showed the same person in the red vest jacket lifting their arm before a gunshot was heard.
Shawn Kemp, a former Seattle SuperSonics player, was chosen as the 17th overall pick in the 1989 NBA Draft and played for 14 seasons in the league for teams including the Cleveland Cavaliers, Portland Trail Blazers, and Orlando Magic.
The six-time NBA all-star was arrested twice for drug-related offenses in the early 2000s, specifically for marijuana possession. Kemp now operates at least one cannabis shop in Seattle.
If convicted, Kemp could face up to 10 years in prison and/or a fine of up to $20,000 as a drive-by shooting is considered a class B felony under Washington state law.