CANTON, OH – A shoplifting suspect pulled a concealed gun on a police officer inside a Walmart loss prevention office and pulled the trigger, but the weapon jammed, giving a quick-thinking store employee time to knock the gun away and wrestle the suspect to the ground.
Shane Newman, 21, now faces attempted murder and felonious assault charges after the harrowing encounter that was captured on video. His accomplice, Katerina Jeffrey, 23, was charged with complicity to commit robbery.
The incident occurred last week after Walmart asset protection staff detained Newman on suspicion of shoplifting and brought him to a back office for questioning. A police officer arrived and patted Newman down but missed the concealed firearm.
Minutes later, as the officer questioned him, Newman suddenly drew the hidden gun and pointed it at the officer’s chest. He pulled the trigger, but the weapon failed to fire.
In the chaos that followed, a Walmart employee sprang into action. The worker knocked the gun from Newman’s hand and tackled him, pinning him down until the officer could draw his own weapon and take control of the situation.
Jessie Carpenter, Walmart’s Asset Protection Operations Coach, praised the employee’s heroism. “The safety and security of our customers and associates is always a top priority,” Carpenter said. “We’re proud of the brave action our asset protection associate took to maintain the safety of everyone in our store.”
Newman was arraigned Friday in Canton Municipal Court, where a judge set his bond at $1 million. Jeffrey’s bond was set at $500,000. Both are due back in court Tuesday.
Newman faces additional charges including robbery, drug possession, and felon in possession of a firearm.
