Suspected shoplifter’s gun jams while taking aim at police officer in wild video
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Heart-pounding video shows the moment a shoplifting suspect tried to shoot an Ohio police officer at point-blank range inside a Walmart; but was stopped when his gun malfunctioned and a store security guard intervened.
According to reports, the dramatic incident unfolded in Canton on Thursday after the suspect and a woman were taken into custody for allegedly stealing items from the store.
The two were taken to a security room where an officer was seen questioning and searching the male suspect, identified as Shane Newman, 21. FOX 8.
Video from the officer’s desk-mounted body camera showed a quiet scene in which a Walmart employee handed the officer a pen and paper while the two suspects sat on a bench.
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Video footage shows a Walmart security employee attacking an armed robbery suspect in the security room of an Ohio store after the suspect attempted to fire a gun at a police officer. (Canton Police Department)
A few minutes later the situation erupted.
Newman suddenly turned, pulled out his gun, and the woman screamed, “No, no, no!” He tried to shoot the officer while shouting. A clicking sound could apparently be heard as Newman pulled the trigger.
The Walmart employee immediately jumped on Newman to restrain him, but Newman raised the gun again and tried to fire a second time, and another click was heard.
The officer then pulled his gun and shouted, “Get back! Get back!” While yelling, the worker knocked the gun out of Newman’s hand.
The officer then took control of the matter and pinned Newman to the ground until additional police arrived. Both suspects were detained.
In the body camera footage, the officer told police that Newman “pulled out his gun, pointed it at my head, and pulled the trigger,” but the gun did not fire.
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Body camera footage showed a Walmart security guard and a police officer restraining a shoplifting suspect in the security room of an Ohio store after police said the suspect tried to shoot the officer. (Canton Police Department)
The officer said he pulled his own gun and was going to shoot Newman, but the worker said he was afraid to hit the Walmart employee as he tried to disarm the suspect. He also acknowledged that the gun stored in Newman’s shoulder bag was missing during the initial search.
The officer said he was notified seconds before the attack that Newman had an active arrest warrant and was classified as “armed and dangerous.”
Court records show Newman was charged with attempted murder and aggravated assault on a police officer.
The woman, identified as Katerina Jefferey, was charged with possession of a weapon under disability, accessory to robbery and possession of ammunition, FOX 8 reported.
Split-frame body camera footage shows Shane Newman in a Walmart security room in Ohio shortly before police say he pulled a gun and tried to shoot a police officer. Newman is seen holding a small red container that investigators say contains illegal drugs. (Canton Police Department)
Before violence broke out, the officer asked Newman if he had anything on him as part of the search. Newman said all he had was a cell phone and he voluntarily handed over a small container from his pocket that investigators said contained illegal drugs, according to FOX 8.
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“Are we going to jail?” Jeffrey asked the police officer.
“No, unless it’s something crazy,” the officer replied.
