It was an ordinary day at a Walmart in Canton, Ohio—until it wasn’t. What began as a routine call for a shoplifting incident this past Thursday erupted into a scene of attempted execution, captured in chilling detail by body camera and store surveillance. The footage reveals the terrifying moment an alleged shoplifter, 21-year-old Shane Newman, attempted to murder a police officer at point-blank range, a crime prevented only by a faulty firearm and the swift action of a store security guard.
The incident unfolded when store security spotted Newman and 23-year-old Katarina Jeffrey leaving with unpaid merchandise. A responding officer escorted both to the store’s loss prevention office. The body camera footage shows a tense but controlled interaction. The officer, maintaining professionalism, asked Newman, “Do you have anything on you that I need to know about? Why is your hand in your pocket?”
Newman replied, “I have a snap phone,” and initially cooperated with a pat-down, handing over a container later found to hold illegal drugs. The situation seemed contained. When Jeffrey asked if they were going to jail, the officer even offered a measure of reassurance, stating, “Not unless something crazy happens.”
Those words would soon ring with tragic irony.
Unbeknownst to the officer, a dispatcher was urgently relaying critical information: Newman had an active warrant and was classified as “armed and dangerous.” The warning came too late.
Store surveillance video captures the horrifying sequence. Newman can be seen turning away from the camera, reaching into his shoulder bag, and pulling out a handgun. In cold blood, he raises the weapon and aims it directly at the back of the officer’s head. He pulls the trigger.
The gun fails to fire.
In that split second, a Walmart security employee, witnessing the attempted execution, lunged forward without hesitation. He wrestled the gun away from Newman, disarming him and unquestionably saving the officer’s life. The officer later stated he had drawn his own weapon but held fire to avoid hitting the brave employee. He also admitted he had missed the concealed firearm during his initial pat-down—a stark reminder of the lethal margins within which law enforcement operates daily.
Newman now sits in Stark County jail on a $1 million bond, facing charges including attempted murder and felonious assault on a peace officer. Katarina Jeffrey faces complicity to commit robbery charges after investigators found two 9mm rounds in her pocket.
This incident is not an isolated shoplifting case. It is a violent eruption of the broader lawlessness that has been allowed to fester in American cities. It exemplifies the “shoplifting epidemic” that has grown so brazen that, as noted in related reports, store employees are resorting to dressing like police just to create a deterrent. This is what the soft-on-crime policies of the left have wrought: an environment where criminals feel empowered to escalate petty theft to attempted murder of a police officer without a second thought.
While the liberal media and Democratic politicians often focus on narratives of police misconduct and advocate for defunding police departments, this video tells a different story. It shows the incredible, split-second danger officers face while performing their duties. It shows a brave civilian recognizing the value of that officer’s life and acting to protect it. And it shows the horrific consequences of a culture that often excuses criminal behavior.
NEW: Ohio shoplifting suspect tries to shoot officer, but the gun malfunctions
The officer was inside the loss prevention office with Shane Newman, 21, and Katerina Jeffrey, 23
Newman pulled out a handgun and tried to shoot the officer. The gun did not fire
A Walmart asset… pic.twitter.com/0BBrppug3s
— Unlimited L's (@unlimited_ls) December 19, 2025
President Donald Trump has consistently stood for unwavering support for law enforcement and for policies that prioritize public safety and hold criminals accountable. This incident in Canton is a visceral argument for that exact approach. It demonstrates that the threat is real, it is violent, and it must be met with strength and unequivocal backing for the men and women who stand on that thin blue line. The security guard’s heroism saved one life that day, but it is a strong, pro-law enforcement policy that will protect entire communities.