Shocking bodycam footage has revealed the terrifying moment a shoplifting suspect drew a gun and aimed it at a police officer inside an Ohio Walmart, before a quick-thinking store employee tackled and disarmed him.
The Shoplifting Stop That Turned Violent
The incident began on 18 December at the Walmart Supercenter in Canton, Ohio. Police detained two individuals, Shane Newman, 21, and Katerina Jeffrey, 23, on suspicion of shoplifting. The pair were taken to the store's loss prevention office for questioning.
According to the footage obtained by NBC News, an officer patted down Newman, asking if he had anything on him. Newman stated he only had his phone. As the officer sat across from the duo, Newman became visibly distressed, putting his face in his hands. At one point, he said, "I told her not to steal," to which the officer replied, "You did it, too."
Twenty Seconds of Chaos
The situation escalated dramatically minutes later. The bodycam video shows Newman turn around, reach into his bag, and pull out a firearm, which he then points directly at the police officer.
"No! No! No!" Jeffrey, seated beside him, screamed. A Walmart employee standing nearby shouted "Hey!" before lunging at Newman. The employee grabbed Newman's arms and wrestled with him, successfully dislodging the gun from his grip.
As the struggle continued, another officer drew his weapon and aimed it at Newman. Jeffrey then fled the scene. The second officer is seen on video kicking and punching Newman while he was still on the bench, before bringing him to the ground. The entire frightening sequence, from drawing the gun to being subdued, lasted approximately 20 seconds. No shots were fired.
Charges and Official Responses
Following the altercation, Shane Newman now faces serious criminal charges. Court records show these include attempt to commit murder, felonious assault on an officer, and robbery. Katerina Jeffrey was charged with complicity to commit robbery. Both are due in court on 23 December and have yet to enter a plea.
Canton Police Chief John Gabbard stated, "This incident is a reminder of the ever-present threat of violence against police officers and the gracious provision of God’s protection."
Walmart also commended its employee's bravery. Jessie Carpenter, Walmart Asset Protection Operations Coach, said, "The safety and security of our customers and associates is always a top priority. We’re proud of the brave action our asset protection associate took to maintain the safety of everyone in our store."
