Washington prosecutors charged Shawn Kemp with first-degree assault stemming from a shooting that took place in March.
Prosecutors say that a text message Kemp sent before the incident showed intent to confront and shoot the individual who allegedly stole his cellphone.
Kemp's lawyers, who said that he will plead not guilty, insist that Kemp returned fire out of self defense.
"He is confident that once the jury hears from the witnesses and sees the evidence at trial, they will conclude that he was justified in defending himself that afternoon," wrote Kemp's legal team in a statement.
A probable cause statement from Tacoma police indicated that Kemp was not shot at, and that some of his statements were not corroborated by surveillance video.
Kemp is set to be arraigned on May 4.