Shoplifting suspect tries to shoot police officer at point-blank in horrifying bodycam footage
Bodycam footage captured the shocking moment that a shoplifting suspect allegedly tried to shoot a police officer.
Shane Newman, 21, is now facing a slew of charges - including attempted murder - after pointing the weapon directly at the cop in Canton, Ohio, according to reports.
He has been accused of felonious assault on a police officer, robbery, drug possession and having a weapon under disability.
On Thursday (18 December), he was detained alongside 23-year-old Katerina Jeffrey in a Walmart store under suspicion of shoplifting, Fox8 reports.
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The pair were taken to a security room, before a police officer arrived, who then searched and questioned them.
The cop placed his body-worn camera on what appeared to be a table, while the duo sat on a bench directly opposite.
In the footage, he can be heard asking Newman: "Do you have anything on you that I need to know about? Why is your hand in your pocket?"
The 21-year-old then informed the officer that he had a 'snap phone', before also handing over a small container which police say contained 50 blue pills.
The clip shows how Jeffrey then asked if they were 'going to jail', to which the cop replied: "Not unless something crazy happens." Famous last words, eh?
Moments later, Newman can be seen rotating his body while rummaging around a bag that was hanging over his body - before retrieving a gun.
He allegedly aimed the weapon at the police officer before attempting to fire, but thankfully, it did not.
Take a look at this:
A heroic member of Walmart's security team rushed over to subdue Newman as all hell broke loose, successfully disarming him before the officer got him in handcuffs.
In the bodycam footage, the cop can be heard telling his police colleagues that the young man had 'pulled the gun out, pointed it at my head and pulled the trigger', adding: "[The gun] doesn’t go off."
Fox8 reports that the officer discovered Newman was classed as 'armed and dangerous' and that there was an active warrant for his arrest just seconds before the incident erupted.
He is also said to have acknowledged that he did not pick up on the weapon while patting the shoplifting suspect down.
Both Newman and Jeffrey were taken into custody as a result of the supermarket showdown.
Jeffrey has been charged with complicity to commit robbery and having weapons under disability for possession of ammunition, reports state. Police said they found two 9mm rounds in one of her pockets.
Newman, who is now facing several weighty charges, is being held on a $1 million bond, while Jeffrey's is $500,000.
The pair are due to appear in court on Tuesday (23 December).
Canton Police Chief John Gabbard said of the dramatic incident: "This incident is a reminder of the ever-present threat of violence against police officers and the gracious provision of God’s protection.
"Thank you to all of you who regularly pray with me for our officers and our community."
Walmart's Asset Protection Operations Coach, Jessie Carpenter, told WAFB9 in a statement: "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. We’ll continue to work with police as they investigate.”
Olivia Burke