Chilling body camera footage has revealed the moment a shoplifter attempted to execute a police officer at point-blank range inside a Walmart store in Ohio. The incident, which unfolded last Thursday afternoon, was only prevented from becoming a fatal shooting due to an apparent malfunction of the suspect's firearm.
A Routine Call Turns to Chaos
The terrifying ordeal began when Walmart security in Canton called police after allegedly catching two individuals, Shane Newman, 21, and Katarina Jeffrey, 23, attempting to leave the store with unpaid items. A responding deputy escorted the pair to the store's loss prevention office for questioning.
According to the released footage, the encounter started calmly. The officer asked Newman if he had anything on him, to which the suspect replied he only had a mobile phone, before voluntarily handing over a container of illegal drugs. As Jeffrey asked if they were going to jail, the officer replied, "Not unless something crazy happens."
The Point-Blank Attempt
After a brief exchange, Newman, who was sitting on a couch, slowly reached into his backpack. He then abruptly pulled out a handgun and pointed it directly at the head of the police officer, who was standing just steps away.
"No, no, no, no, no, no!" Jeffrey screamed as chaos erupted. The officer yelled and a heroic Walmart security guard lunged at Newman, managing to wrestle the weapon from his hands as the officer drew his own firearm.
Retelling the event, the deputy stated, "Newman pulls the gun out, points it at my head and pulls the trigger. It doesn’t go off." The officer later revealed he had only just discovered Newman had an active arrest warrant and was considered 'armed and dangerous'.
Aftermath and Charges
Both suspects were quickly subdued and arrested. It was later revealed the officer had missed the gun during his initial search of Newman. The deputy said he refrained from firing his own weapon for fear of hitting the Walmart employee who bravely intervened.
Newman now faces a slew of charges including:
- Attempted murder
- Felonious assault on a peace officer
- Robbery
- Aggravated possession of drugs
- Having weapons under disability due to his criminal history
He is being held in Stark County jail on a $1 million bond. Jeffrey was also charged after police allegedly found two 9mm rounds of ammunition on her person. She faces complicity to commit robbery and weapons charges.
Canton Police Chief John Gabbard said in a statement, "This incident is a reminder of the ever-present threat of violence against police officers and the gracious provision of God’s protection." A Walmart spokesperson praised their associate's "brave action" in maintaining safety.
